I WAS desperately disappointed last Friday to visit Birchen Coppice Primary School only to find the school closed due to mindless, systematic vandalism that had taken place the night before.

Scores of windows had been broken; shards of glass, bricks and lumps of concrete littered the floors. The headteacher and hard-working staff, dedicated to their pupils, were shattered by this tragedy that appeared to set back the good work that they are trying to do against all the odds in that particular community.

Their efforts to improve the attendance rate and the achievements of the pupils have been severely impeded. I have spoken to the Director of Children’s Services at the county council to make sure the intense difficulties the staff and pupils face are taken into account.

Who could possibly carry out such utterly pointless devastation that harms the children who stand to get most benefit from the work and success of the school?

The disappointment for all was made worse as my visit was to celebrate some of the successes and triumphs of the school. They have a 12-piece brass band and a 30-strong choir, both of which were going to perform.

Year 6 students had written two songs and were to demonstrate their Roman museum and I was to present awards for the Bishops Wood Trophy and the Young Citizens’ Challenge Award for Health and Safety.

I was very impressed by the teaching and domestic staff who were all willingly setting about the mammoth task of clearing up.

I have promised to visit the school next term by which time I hope the police team will have apprehended the culprits. It would help if any helpful information could be passed to the local police who I am sure would be willing to preserve anonymity.

I went from there to Wilden All Saints C of E Primary School and met the head and staff members and heard about their successes at Ofsted and their links with the senior school which make going up so much easier for pupils.

One problem is their cramped site but they can overflow onto the church land and a neighbour’s garden due to great generosity. Because of a reduction by the county council of their pupil admission number (PAN) to 20 they have had to make economies and as the children eligible to attend are increasing I have passed on their urgent need for an increase in PAN to at least 25.

Mostyn Rangers U10 team are to be heartily congratulated as they will be representing the Worcestershire FA at McDonald’s National Football Festival at Wembley Stadium on August 6. I am sure all Shuttle readers will join me in sending the team are sincere congratulations for achieving this honour and our hopes that they will enjoy the festival and come away with enhanced skills from the coaching and training sessions and our best wishes for their matches and the season ahead.

The Big Lottery Fund is searching for six UK villages with a great business idea and six enterprising individuals to act as Village Champions to help them achieve their ambitions. Closing date is August 14; details from www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/villagesos

DR RICHARD TAYLOR, MP FOR WYRE FOREST