Heather Avenue Infant School welcomed Norwich North MP Chloe Smith to the school on Friday 24 March.

Ms Smith, who is a member of the Wensum Trust, took a tour of the school and got the chance to observe a number of children taking part in phonics lessons. 

As part of the visit, Ms Smith spent time in the school’s new library to hear some children read stories and find out more about the Wensum English Hub.

The Wensum English Hub, which is based at Heather Avenue, is one of 34 hubs nationwide. It is funded by the Department for Education and supports other schools in Norfolk and Suffolk to achieve excellence in teaching reading and early language development.

Ms Smith also learnt about Wise About Words - a special programme all Wensum Trust schools run in partnership with Norwich Theatre - which aims to improve children’s emotional wellbeing, literacy, communication skills, focus and memory through drama and storytelling. 

Following the visit, Ms Smith, said: “Children at Heather Avenue were learning enthusiastically and having so much fun with their reading. To me, this shows what great teaching of phonics can do in the early years.

“I was proud to see how the school has also taken on the extra responsibility of being Norfolk’s English Hub and what an impact this is having on learning across the county and beyond.

“Partners like Norwich Theatre have an innovative and inspiring role to play too. Thank you to all the staff involved who are working so hard to give the children the start they deserve in life.”