Julia Lopez MP visited Sanders Draper Academy this morning to speak to year 7 on pupils and to catch-up with the school headteacher, Mr Brooks.

Mrs Lopez was invited to lead an assembly on her role as the Member of Parliament for Hornchurch & Upminster alongside her ministerial roles in both the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Julia also discussed with pupils the many ways in they may contribute to our democracy and engage with their elected representatives.

After the assembly, Mrs Lopez spoke with Mr Brooks who set out the enormous strides the school had made in performance and attainment since the pair first met in 2018. The school had also benefited from significant government investment to improve facilities, including £1.7m in support this school year via the Condition Improvement Fund.