EAST Hampshire MP and Secretary of State for Education Damian Hinds sat down for a chat with some town children last week.

Mr Hinds, who was appointed to the cabinet in January, has been visiting Bordon Junior School, in Budds Lane, as part of its year-five PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education) curriculum, for a number of years now.

“On Friday (May 18), we were delighted to welcome Damian Hinds, Secretary of State for Education, to work with our year-five pupils,” a school spokesman said.

“Although we have been consistently challenging the standards in maths and English (achieving the best key-stage-two results in the town in 2017), we still believe in the value of a wider education, as does Mr Hinds.

“Alongside a daily diet of engaging maths and English lessons, our children are taught life skills such as cookery and first aid.

“We also ensure they gain an understanding that they have a role to play in their community – whether it is within the family, school or wider community of the town and county.

“Mr Hinds came to speak to students as part of their PSHE (personal, social and health education) to help them better understand how our democracy works, and to further raise the aspirations of our children.

“Both we at Bordon Junior School and Mr Hinds believe it is vital for our children to see that they can achieve anything.”

Although not an official Department for Education visit, this was Mr Hinds’ first of these regular sessions since taking up his new position. He also visited Eggar’s in Alton in March for National Careers Week, and Liphook Infant and Junior school a few weeks ago to open their Daily Mile facility.

Mr Hinds told the Bordon Herald that he enjoys venturing away from Westminster to meet some of his youngest constituents.

“It was a pleasure to be back at Bordon Junior School last week, talking with year fives about Parliament and my role as MP for East Hampshire,” he said. “Each time I visit the school to do this talk, I’m delighted by the interest of the group and the directness of their questions. It’s a great opportunity to talk with a young audience about politics and our democratic processes, and why it’s important for young people to be involved.”

Mr Hinds was Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury from May 2015, before becoming Employment Minister at the Department for Work and Pensions in July 2016.