We’re off to the Tower!

CHILDREN at a Henley school are looking forward to a tour of the Tower of London after finishing as a runner-up in a national competition.

The pupils at Valley Road primary were among schools across the country to enter the contest to design a commemorative bench to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

The competition was organised by the Tower of London to inspire young people to explore their hopes for the future during the new monarch’s reign.

It was open to children in Years 1 to 6 and attracted more than 1,500 entries using common themes including unity, peace and care for the environment.

The Tower of London supplied bench plans and information on some of the symbols, history and values of the monarchy.

Fifteen winners were chosen and their benches were built and installed at the Tower in time for last month’s coronation and will remain there throughout the summer. The benches will then be taken to the schools as a lasting legacy.

Valley Road year 6’s design made it into the final 50.

Teacher Kate Richens said the pupils had worked in small groups in art and history lessons. “The enthusiasm was tremendous,” she said. “From the initial assembly, it took off. The children wanted to roll up their sleeves and get involved.

“We focused on important values and symbolism within the coronation itself and historically. We are all very proud of the children who really embraced the whole process.”

A number of the children’s designs featured the flags of the four home nations and themes of kindness. These are on display in the school’s reception area.

Lottie Guyan, from year 2, explained the school’s finished design, saying: “One side of our bench looks destroyed and the other side is our hopes for the future with Charles as our King.”

A notice on display next to some of the designs read: “In Valley class, we have talked about our hopes for the new era of King Charles III. We think that he will be a kind king who will make time to listen to his people no matter how small they are.

“The flags of our four nations are bound together by the Union flag, again to symbolise the importance of hearing and acknowledging every voice, to bring the best out of a team. We tried to adopt this approach throughout this design project.”