Hastings and Rye MP meets students at Buckswood's International Day celebrations

Buckswood is home and school to more than 460 students from almost 50 different nationalities.

Every year the school holds its International Day celebration and raises money for charity while marking cultural diversity at the same time.

Giles Sutton, Buckswood headmaster, said: “Since the school began in 1933, Buckswood has always been international in its outlook. We have always recognised the value of an international education and the contribution that Britons have made abroad at the same time as the open-mindedness fostered when children learn alongside contemporaries from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Our annual International Day celebration is the only day of the year when we are aware that we herald from different corners of the globe, and the Sports Hall is transformed into a colourful festival of flavours and costumes from around the world.”

In her opening speech Ms Rudd welcomed the Buckswood students to the UK to study and said Britain will always be a warm and friendly place open to all.

After the official ribbon cutting ceremony where she was presented with a cheeky ‘Yes Minister’ caricature, the MP visited all of the exhibition stalls to speak with all of the students and sample foods from far and wide.

Ms Rudd was among 300 people who visited Buckswood School to attend the International Day event to find out more about the education on offer there.

The day was organised by Buckswood head of languages Wei Callaghan, along with help from the Buckswood teaching staff.

Ms Rudd said: “I was pleased to visit Buckswood to see how learning and student experience is enriched by a diverse student body drawn from here in our local communities and from across the world.

“It was great to meet with students, visit the exhibition stalls and try the fantastic food which was on offer. This was a very enjoyable day in support of the charity work undertaken by Buckswood.”

More than £1,000 was raised which will be used to support charity work Buckswood undertakes in Africa.

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