Private School News

David Cameron is thanked by grateful pupil at Kingham Hill School

When Hector Mahony (11) learned that David Cameron was to visit Kingham Hill School, he determined to thank him personally for helping to overturn an LEA decision in 2002 that threatened to bar him from joining the same primary school as his two brothers.

Hector approached David Cameron minutes before he officially opened the two new day houses at Kingham Hill School, four miles from Chipping Norton. David Cameron was visibly impressed with Hector’s heartfelt gratitude and the eloquence with which it was expressed. It only took him moments to recall the circumstances, and he and Hector chatted about how good it was that Hector had eventually been offered a place at Kingham Primary School where his brothers and friends were so happy.

Hector’s brothers – Seb and Oskar – were very settled at their local school, the ever-popular Kingham Primary School. It hadn’t crossed anyone’s mind that Hector would not be able join his brothers. However, against the wishes of the headteacher and the school’s governors, the Local Education Authority decided to remove a temporary classroom and reduce the school roll. Hector and several other children who also had siblings at the school were told that they would have to find another school.

The campaign to overturn the LEA’s decision was determined and passionate. However, it wasn’t until David Cameron was asked to intervene, and the subsequent time and energy he gave in support, that a breakthrough was achieved and the decision reversed.

Hector’s mum, Liz Mahony, remembers: “I was delighted that David Cameron was able to overcome the bureaucracy of the LEA in favour of the needs of children like Hector. As a family we acknowledge that without his intervention, our children would have received a different primary education.”

“I have always wanted to thank Mr. Cameron myself for what he did”, Hector reflected after his exciting encounter. “I’m glad that he made it possible for me to be at school with my brothers because being at Kingham Primary meant that I had a really good start to my education. I will never forget what he did.”

Hector, Seb and Oskar are now all together at Kingham Hill School, Hector having recently joined Year 7.