STAFF at Keighley schools have won praise for their efforts to ensure local youngsters receive the best possible start in life.

Keighley town mayor Councillor Fulzar Ahmed commented after touring three local primary schools in a day – Merlin Top Primary Academy, Long Lee Primary and Eastwood Community School.

He said he was impressed by the dedication of staff and the provision of extra curricular activities.

“The three schools have different dynamics and yes there are funding challenges,” he said. “But all the schools have so much talent, and they’re making the best of their situation.

“At Merlin Top the children showed a lot of passion for their school and were proud to wear its uniform. They have an enthusiastic school council and I was well received during my visit.

“I attended a lesson and the pupils asked me plenty of questions, including how much the mayor’s chain is worth.

“When I asked one child if they’d like to be mayor in future, they said they wanted to be prime minister one day!”

Cllr Ahmed said his visit to Long Lee also happened to be a personal trip down memory lane, as he was a pupil in this building 20 years ago when it was Swire Smith Middle School.

“They’ve had a couple of extensions done to keep up with demand, they do a lot of outdoor activities and all places at the school are full,” he said.

“I spoke to the pupils and told them that whatever they aspire to be they shouldn’t let anything hold them back.

“Long Lee is linked to Ingrow Primary, allowing them to share staff and best practices. So I was interested to find out how resources can be combined, at a time when funding is so limited.”

Responding to his visit to Eastwood, Cllr Ahmed said: “The head teacher was very enthusiastic and proud of her school. She’s a former pupil of Eastwood herself.

“The school also has provision for outdoor activities and has an early years nursery, which takes children from age two.

“This means the children are already very well prepared by the time they’re old enough to start school.”

Commenting after the town mayor's tour, a spokesman for Merlin Top Primary Academy, which is sponsored by Northern Education Trust, said: "Pupils across all classes were keen to explain their work to Cllr Ahmed, and it was obvious how proud they were of their achievements. 

"The mayor was impressed with how engaged the children seemed, not only with their work, but also the additional activities the academy provides, such as after-school sports clubs, competitions, residential and day trips, and music provision. 

"As part of the visit, he watched a trailer for a play the year six pupils had recently performed for the Literacy Festival, watched a year one music lesson facilitated by Bradford Music Service, and saw a trumpet lesson, although sadly he declined the offer to learn how to play himself!"