A YORK MP dropped in on pupils at two city schools to help celebrate recent Ofsted successes.

York Central MP Rachael Maskell visited two schools in the Hope Learning Trust in York earlier this month to witness the positive changes within the schools.

Hope schools, Vale of York Academy and Burton Green Primary School, which are both in Clifton, York, secured ‘good’ Ofsted judgements last year, with Vale of York getting the result just four years after Canon Lee (Vale of York’s predecessor) was placed in special measures.

Rachael was welcomed to Vale of York Academy by Trust staff and Principal, Toby Eastaugh, before joining the School Council in the Library for ‘MP’s Question Time’. Each student asked Rachael a question about something they felt strongly about, including environmental issues, mental health, housing, the NHS and giving 16-17 year olds the vote.

CLICK HERE FOR GALLERY OF OLD SCHOOL PHOTOS FROM VALE OF YORK/CANON LEE

Rachael also visited Burton Green Primary School, where she met the children and head teacher, Ash Atherton.

In a whole school assembly Rachael asked the children what they care most about.

The children’s responses were wide-ranging, including: the Australian bushfires; the situation between the USA and Iran; knife crime; and environment issues.

As part of the visit pupils learned that an MP’s role is to help make the country a better place, by protecting the environment and making sure there are jobs for people and houses for families to live in, in a world where no one goes hungry.

One pupil even asked how the MPs solve their disagreements when they are in Parliament.

CLICK HERE FOR GALLERY OF OLD PHOTOS FROM BURTON GREEN SCHOOL

Rachael said: “It was inspirational to witness the change at both Burton Green and Vale of York. Hope Learning Trust has proved that when you are focused on achieving the best outcomes for young people, it is possible for everyone to access a good education.

“Burton Green is very much a community school. The team have clearly worked hard to create a really good learning environment for the children and opened its doors to parents. The care that has been taken is testimony to the dedication of the head teacher, Mrs Atherton and the staff at the school. It was a real pleasure to speak with the children in the assembly and hear about the issues that they care about.”

“The students at Vale of York Academy asked very challenging questions about York, the country and the environment and it was heartening to talk to so many engaged young people. With the school turning itself around to achieve a ‘good’ Ofsted rating there is real cause to celebrate the whole school community for working to make this possible.”

“I wish both schools well as they continue on their journeys of creating good places to learn for the young people of Clifton, York and beyond.”

CEO of Hope Learning Trust, Brian Crosby, accompanied Rachael on her visits. He said: “We were delighted to welcome Rachael to two of our schools. She saw the changes we have made to the physical schools, but more importantly we wanted her to see the positive difference Hope is making to young people’s lives."