With the challenges faced by the education sector dominating many of the recent headlines, I was glad for the opportunity to visit Coteford School in Eastcote to discuss these issues with Joanna Martin, Headteacher, and Roald Vertseeg, Chair of the Finance Committee. Top of the agenda was teachers pay and how this is funded, as well as the importance of increasing funding for primary schools and concerns around the fall in student numbers, something I have called attention to in Parliament recently.
On the visit, I also had the pleasure of meeting with pupils in Year 4, who had kindly written some letters for me on the subject of palm oil. We had the opportunity to discuss their concerns around the use of this in products such as chocolate, shampoo and conditioner, as well as ways in which we can sustainably source palm oil to lessen the impact on, and increase protection of, the rainforests.
I am grateful to the staff and students for their time, and the useful first-hand experiences I can share with colleagues on the front benches.
