THE ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury visited Valley Primary School in Solihull on Monday, February 23, as part of a three-day tour of the West Midlands.
Rt Revd Justin Welby was met outside the school on Old Lode Lane by head boy Eliot Parchment and head girl Scarlet Elwell-Jones before being welcomed into the building by the school choir, which sang ‘Lean on me’.
During his visit the Archbishop took part in a question and answer session, in which year six children asked questions such as ‘With all the threats in the world, how can we live as a multicultural society?’ and ‘Do you think we will ever see a society that does not have people living on the streets’.
In his answers he stressed the need for justice, reconciliation and understanding.
He then made his way to the hall, where he talked to the whole school about the role of education in helping children become ‘the best that they can be’.
Archbishop Welby also reflected on a school he had visited in Kenya, where lessons were conducted outdoors and each class had 200 students in it.
He also spoke about the role of religious faith in contemporary education.
Representatives of the local community, including local councillors, police and members of Elmdon Church, were also in attendance for the high-profile visit.
Roberta Narroway, headteacher, said: ‘We were delighted to welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury to our school.
“I will always remember it – what a privilege for any headteacher’.
Elmdon Church Vicar Toby Crowe said: “We cherish the close links between our church and local schools, and we were pleased to be able to play a part in bringing Archbishop Justin to Valley.
“This is a fabulous school with fabulous children and we just love working in partnership with them.”
Round table discussions about education and faith.
Talking with the children about how education can help them be ‘the best that they can be’.
