PUPILS from west Dorset visited Number 10 Downing Street for a special history lesson - and were shocked to be greeted by the Prime Minister himself.
A group of students from Salway Ash CE VA Primary School were invited to the famous address to meet the Prime Minister’s wife, Akshata Murty, as part of her “Lessons at Number 10” initiative.
However, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also made a surprise appearance during the visit.
The programme welcomes children from schools around the country to have a look inside the Prime Minister's home and learn about its history.
The theme of the visit was “Remembrance” and children had the opportunity to work alongside representatives from the Royal British Legion and meet Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, as part of the day.
On the morning of Friday, November 10 the Royal British Legion held a live assembly for primary schools online and as part of this, there was a live broadcast from Downing Street featuring the pupils and Mrs Murty.
Following this, the children moved to a stateroom where they worked with the Royal British Legion to reflect on the meaning of remembrance by writing poems and doing some artwork inspired by poppies.
Headteacher Leif Overment said: “The chance to visit 10 Downing Street is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we were delighted to have been chosen.
"The children set off on the train very early in the morning and represented the school fantastically well throughout the day; visiting London just before Remembrance Day was extra special.
"We are very fortunate that our “Lessons at Number 10” experience contained a lot of firsts.
"It was the first time it had been broadcast to the nation, the first time a serving minister joined a school group and the first time the Prime Minister was able to come and say hello to the pupils.
"Pupils were about to share their work when a door opened and in strode Rishi Sunak.
"The children were open-mouthed with excitement.
"Remembrance Day is such a poignant day for our country and now, more than ever, it is important that we teach children about the importance of peace, valuing the sacrifice of others and of learning the lessons of history.”
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