News Release

23rd April 2004

BACK TO SCHOOL

Friday 23rd April was 'Back to School Day' for Michael Fabricant. In the morning he opened the BUDS All Day Childcare Centre at Willows Primary School and toured the School and BUDS. Duncan Birds, headteacher, said: "We were delighted to welcome Michael Fabricant to officially open Buds All Day Childcare this morning. It was a lovely occasion with staff and children enjoying the glorious sunshine in the nursery playground."

Michael Fabricant commented: "It was a pleasure to meet parents teachers and children at Willows and learns about Buds which offers high quality childcare to 3 and 4 year old children all year round. It also offers pre and after school and school holiday care for children aged 3 to 8 and so provides a valuable resource to working parents in north Lichfield." Buds is OfSTED registered and is managed by the governors of Willows Primary School, a Beacon School providing excellence for all.

In the afternoon, after attending the St George's Day Court at The Guildhall in Lichfield at lunchtime, Michael then visited Chadsmead Primary School where he answered a stream of questions about his life as an MP from Year 5 pupils. "They asked a series of very interesting and probing questions about my life as an MP and a number of the 9 and 10 year olds struck me as being budding Jeremy Paxmans. Questions included whether I hate Tony Blair. Just for the record: I don't. It ain't personal!" Michael met teachers and was hosted by headteacher, Lester Davies.

Photograph shows Michael opening Buds with Willows Deputy headteacher and Head of Buds, Nêst Llewellyn-Cook