HAMPSHIRE’S leading schools politician has praised Owslebury Primary, near Winchester, for its “wonderful environment” and happy children.

Cllr Roy Perry visited the 90-pupil school to meet the pupils and see the refurbished classrooms, new IT equipment and witness the benefits of a small village school.

Head teacher, Mrs Elena Ponsen, gave a guided tour of the school and its large playground and field.

Cllr Perry then popped into assembly before being quizzed by pupils on the school council. He said: “It is a very impressive school, with very happy children with very enquiring minds, who are ready to ask searching questions and speak up for themselves.

“The environment is really wonderful — a nice, clean, bright building in an incomparable setting.”

Cllr Perry asked questions about the stories being created by children in the Infants and was impressed to hear that French is taught — from reception upwards.

There are two after-school French clubs, which are run by a parent, and Cllr Perry also witnessed another parent preparing to run the weekly cooking club.

Pupils wanted to know if Cllr Perry had visited the House of Commons, whether he wanted to become leader of the council and if he would like to be a judge at the final of the school’s annual speech competition.

Mrs Ponsen said: “We were really pleased to welcome Cllr Perry to Owslebury and show him our wonderful school. “He was genuinely interested in everything we do here and was very positive about the school and our children.”