On Friday 6th December, Dr Neil Hudson MP met with students and staff at King Harold Academy to discuss his role as their Member of Parliament and hear more about the important work being done to boost academic and pastoral outcomes for local young folk.
Dr Hudson met with Headteacher Andrew Jones and Assistant Headteacher Adam Cotton who specialises in pupils' personal development to discuss the new Senior Leadership Team's ambitious plan for King Harold Academy and the youngsters who rely on it.
He then toured the school, before meeting ACE Tutors and finally speaking with a large group of pupils about our democracy, his role as their local Member of Parliament, and electoral politics. Pupils were then given the opportunity to quiz their local representative, and students asked a wide range of sophisticated questions on issues from vaping, mobile phone usage in schools, to immigration, and the war in Ukraine.
King Harold Academy is one of 45 schools in the Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT) and Dr Hudson was particularly keen to shine a light on the excellent work being done for pupil premium students through the school's TKAT ACE programme. TKAT ACE (standing for A Champion for Every Child) is a pastoral mentoring programme based on regular one-to-one contact with a designated ACE Tutor.
TKAT ACE Tutors build relationships, gain trust and a deep understanding of their tutees through one-to-one contact with both students and indeed their parents or carers, providing tailored and holistic support for those who may require additional assistance.
A spokesman for the school said:
"KHA pupils and staff were really honoured to welcome Dr Neil Hudson MP and his team to the school on Friday 6th December.
"We were able to give him an insight into our developing TKAT ACE work ('A Champion for Every Child'), which champions the work and development of our disadvantaged pupils.
"Dr Hudson was also kind enough to give a talk to over 60 pupils who attended an afternoon session to learn about his role, and wider issues of parliament and democracy. The pupils loved hearing about his experiences, and were given the opportunity to ask questions about what it is like to be a politician and Member of Parliament. It was an absolutely invaluable experience, and we cannot wait to welcome Dr Hudson back to our community."
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest, added:
"It was tremendously heartening to witness first-hand the energy and passion that King Harold Academy's Senior Leadership Team and their staff bring to their roles and the great weight they put on pastoral, as well as educational, development.
"Moreover, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing from the students themselves about their priorities. The questions they asked me were incredibly thoughtful and powerful. These young folk are a credit to their families, carers and the school.
"King Harold Academy's ACE Tutor programme is clearly making a hugely positive step forwards for the personal and educational development of these students and I was privileged to meet with both some of these students and the wonderful staff dedicated to improving the outcomes for those young folk under their care."
