I had a wonderful time visiting Queens Park Primary School after they wrote to me about a range of local issues. The discussions we had around their concerns about homelessness, high street shop closures, and the environment showed an impressive awareness and understanding of problems in our region.

I was hugely impressed with their engagement and concern for the future of our community as well as their enthusiasm for playing their part in creating positive change.

This action under the excellent guidance of Ms Kellet and Ms Taylor contributes to the school holding the British Council’s International School Award, an initiative to encourage pupils to debate and discuss a wide range of relevant issues. I am delighted to see such action to help our young people to become effective change-makers.