Year 5 pupils from Bursted Wood Primary School welcomed local MP, Rt Hon David Evennett, on Friday 24 June in aid of the ‘Send My Friend to School’ campaign. The children had prepared a presentation and a song for Mr Evennett, and then presented him with a book detailing the campaign and the actions they have taken to date.

Send My Friend to School is a national campaign aimed at helping children across the world who do not have access to a primary education. Bursted Wood are among 4,200 schools taking part in the project.

As part of the campaign, the children made paper rucksacks detailing their messages to world leaders, wrote persuasive speeches to highlight the issues, researched children’s stories, made posters, and organised fundraising activities.

Following the visit, Mr Evennett commented: “the children have done a wonderful job in highlighting these very important issues. It is great to see them so engaged in this project, and I will be delighted to present their work to the Secretary of State for International Development.”

“Providing a good quality of education for all children is essential. That is why the UK supported 11 million children across the world in school between 2010 and 2015, and why we have again committed to support 11 million children in the poorest countries get a decent education by 2020.”

“By ensuring children have access to education, we can also enhance economic growth and contribute to better governance, peace and democracy in the long term.”