I’ve managed to visit four schools in the constituency in the last month. These are always my favourite visits with enthusiastic youngsters keen to pose questions worthy of PMQs.
Both Bentley St Paul Primary School and Hogarth Primary School pupils have recently visited the Houses of Parliament, so they were fully up to speed with all that my job involves. My visit to Hogarth took place during the school’s Aspirations week. The children had thought about what they would like to be when they grow up and what a mix of professions there was! We had a scaffolder, a ballerina, a palaeontologist and even a politician.
We had a lovely chat, with the children telling me the problems they experience. A theme that cropped up more than once was the weight of traffic in the town, a salient point with the amount of planned works at the moment. They were also concerned about vaping and had the idea to make it more expensive to stop people taking up the habit.
It was a delight to spend some time with the children at both schools to hear their concerns and what they would like to change in their local area. There are certainly some very community minded individuals among out local 9 to 11 year olds who are all a credit to their schools.
I have also recently met with two students from Brentwood School to assist them with their Extended Project Qualification. They were keen to talk to me about Margaret Thatcher and her legacy, and also about the private education system. I was asked comprehensive, thoughtful questions by the students and it was a delight to meet them.
Most recently, I have been to Kelvedon Hatch Primary School for the opening of their new computer suite. These children already know more about computers and the digital age than I do, ad this suite will prepare them for the jobs of the future. Congratulations to all involved in fundraising for the new suite, especially the PTA, and thanks to the staff and children for making me so welcome during my visit.
