Hucknall Flying High Academy pupils seeking road safety improvements

Children from Hucknall Flying High Academy invited Mark Spencer MP to join them on their journey to school to see for himself a busy road that children say needs a pedestrian crossing.

Twin sisters, Hannah and Charlotte O’Hare were delighted when Mr Spencer agreed to listen to their suggestions, and following the journey to school, gave their local MP a tour of their academy.

Mark Spencer MP said he had enjoyed visiting the school. “The school is amazing, I have been shown around by Hannah and Charlotte, who showed me the whole academy. Their enthusiasm and commitment is unbounded. I do correspond with the school regularly because the children are so engaged with the world around them. For example, Year 4 wrote to me about the quality of water in rivers.

“But today of course, my reason for visiting is because Hannah and Charlotte have been talking to me about their journey to school, in particular, where they need to cross Watnall Road. This is a very busy road, and the children feel it is too busy to cross without a pedestrian crossing. So, I walked to school with them, to experience the busy road for myself, and now I will go and talk to the County Council to see what we can do to help children cross safely.

“This is very much democracy in action, and I will be in touch with the school, and the children, with any progress we make. After all, I have been lobbied by two very effective lobbyists!”

Charlotte age 8 said she was happy with the visit. “We had a walk with Mark Spencer MP to school and we let him have some cakes and biscuits when we arrived! We also gave him a tour of our school. He came to see how busy Watnall Road is when we walk to school.”

Twin sister Hannah age 8 said, “The road is very hard to cross, and we thought that Mr Spencer might be able to help. There are lots of cars and vans and it makes it quite hard to cross. We hope that he can help us to get a crossing. He has said he will write back to us after speaking to the County Council. I will be searching the post every morning because we really want him to help.”

Karl Clowery is Head Teacher at Hucknall Flying High Academy and he said, “It was great to give Mark a chance to see the progress the school has made since opening 3 years ago, and also, to hear the concerns of our children. We are grateful that he continues to listen to and engage with the school, its families and children.

“Hannah and Charlotte were great ambassadors for the school, and I am sure with assistance from Mark Spencer MP, they will make a good case for a pedestrian crossing to assist families on their walk to and from school.”