In times of stress, one of the joys of being an MP is to take part in very specific local celebrations. For me these are enhanced if what we are celebrating is an institution which has served an area for a long period of time, where generations of the same family have benefitted from its services.
This was exactly the case at the 150th anniversary of Charing School. The festivities were spread over two days, with the main event being a service at Charing Church which was partly conducted by the Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkins.
This was personally nostalgic for me as she spent some years as the Speaker’s Chaplain in the House of Commons, so I heard her conduct the Prayers at the start of every day in the Commons very many times. Her approach to the Charing service was appropriately different, encouraging children, staff, parents and guests to learn and sing very loudly an upbeat hymn.
At the school afterwards it was great to meet people who remembered being pupils when the school celebrated its 100th anniversary. And looking at the current pupils it was impossible not to wonder how many of them would still be around the village when the school celebrates its 200th birthday in 2073. I am absolutely sure some of them will be.
The last few years at Charing school have been particularly worth celebrating, as a new management team has transformed the school’s academic results and general ethos. The numbers applying are rising, the buildings have been improved (though there is more to be done on this) and word is getting out that it is a place to send your child.
Most importantly it is still showing, after all these years, that a school can be right at the heart of a community, providing continuity at a time of constant change. This is a genuinely good purpose for all involved.