Staff and students from Hartismere High School welcomed their local MP, Dr Dan Poulter, during a recent visit to the school. A regular visitor to the school, Dr Poulter was welcomed by Headmaster, Mr Jim McAtear, before discussing the many recent successes of the school and about how the current cohort of students have risen to the challenges of learning throughout the pandemic. Dr Poulter was then pleased to join a group of Year 10 students for a Question and Answer session and to hear first-hand their experiences of learning throughout the pandemic and their aspirations as they progress through this important school year. As part of the session, Dr Poulter was questioned by the students on his experiences as a Member of Parliament and his work on the frontline of the NHS through the pandemic.
The Hartismere students were impressively engaged with current affairs and enthusiastically put their many and challenging questions directly to their MP, with topics ranging from climate change, to what more can be done to support the NHS in the ongoing battle against COVID, and the challenges of representing individual constituencies in Parliament, to funding for mental health and young people and impacts on young people here in Suffolk.
Following the Question and Answer session, Dr Poulter then met with School Games Organiser, Mr Steve Parry to discuss the importance of physical activity for young people, both within the school setting and outside of school, and the particular challenges of encouraging those young people who do not usually participate in sport to become more involved. Dr Poulter has committed to highlight these issues directly with the Secretary of State for Education.
Speaking about the visit, Dr Poulter said "It's always heartening to see our outstanding students and young adults here in Suffolk so engaged with politics and wider current affairs, especially putting forward such carefully considered and well-informed questions. Hartismere High School always offers me an exceptionally warm welcome and as ever, it was clear to see that the students had once again very carefully considered their views in preparing their challenging questions."
“Visits such as these are always enjoyable and help to strengthen the link between my work as an MP locally here in Suffolk and my work in Parliament, but they are especially important in inspiring our next generation of voters and decision makers.”