Pupils and staff at Queen Margaret Primary Academy were delighted to welcome a very special visitor — one of the 29 road gritters that help keep Gloucestershire’s roads safe during winter.
Earlier this year, the school took part in a county-wide competition to name the fleet of gritters. With nearly 500 entries submitted, one name from Queen Margaret Primary Academy was selected as a winner, the brilliantly creative “Queen Margritter.”
Although the visit had to be postponed several times due to the gritters being in high demand during periods of cold weather, pupils were thrilled when the long-awaited visit finally took place.
During the visit, children had the opportunity to see their gritter up close and learn all about how it operates. They discovered key facts such as the vehicle’s impressive weight, how up to 10 tonnes of salt are loaded into the machine, and the important role gritters play in keeping roads safe during icy conditions. Pupils were also particularly excited to hear just how loud the gritter’s horn can be.
The experience brought learning to life and provided a memorable insight into an essential public service.
Heather Evans, Administration Assistant and Clerk to the Academy Council, said:
“We were absolutely thrilled to welcome Queen Margritter to our school.
“The children were so excited to see the gritter they helped name and to learn more about the important work it does to keep our communities safe.
“It was a fantastic hands-on experience that they will remember for a long time.”
