Rishi Sunak MP has shown his support for a Dales primary school in its bid to improve standards.
The MP visited Hawes Community Primary School to meet pupils, parents, teachers and governors.
He spent 40 minutes in a question and answer session with senior pupils, spoke to the whole school at assembly and talked informally to teachers and parents.
He spoke to new executive head teacher Simon Ashby and chairman of governors Kevin Tasker about the school’s progress following a poor Ofsted report published earlier this year.
Mr Sunak said: “I was most impressed by the pupils who asked me some really interesting questions about what I did in Westminster and the issues that I dealt with.
“We talked about their school council and how it worked on the same democratic lines as our Parliament in reaching decisions.
“They told me how it had been the forum which decided what new play equipment was purchased - among other important matters. The giant Connect 4 game which was purchased as a result sounded great!”
Mr Sunak said Mr Ashby and Mr Tasker briefed him on the steps being taken to drive up standards following the Ofsted inspection and report prepared in December last year.
He said: “I was encouraged to hear about the actions that have already been taken and the plans they have for the future.
“The pupils were very well behaved and I found it stimulating to meet them and talk about the things that mattered to them.”
Mr Sunak added that he was also pleased to speak to parents and hear of their support for the school.
Mr Ashby said: “I was very pleased with the quality of the questions the pupils put to Mr Sunak and his support for what we are trying to do at the school was very welcome.”