Visiting Burnt Mill School and Catch 22 - a remarkable place

Today I spent two hours visiting Burnt Mill School in Harlow, meeting students and Catch 22 staff. I was also able to talk with some of the children about books and their love of reading

I met three classes of students and spoke with one group about their favourite books and talked to them about his favourite children’s book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Ialso met nine Year 10 students who will be spending a month in Kenya next year.

I spoke to them about my work in Rwanda teaching English and have offered to help the pupils raise funds for their trip.

Burnt Mill School is an incredible school with some fantastic results. I felt really inspired meeting the students, some of them who are being helped by Catch 22 and others who are acting as mentors to younger students.

Catch 22 is one of the best organisations there is that helps young people. I’ve seen this not just during my visit to Burnt Mill School but when I visited the charity at Shield House on a previous occasion.

Their work has had a huge impact on me and is one of the reasons why, as an MP, I focus much of my work on supporting apprenticeships and skills for young people.

I think it is brilliant that Catch 22 and Burnt Mill have teamed up in this way and congratulate all those involved.

I also visited the school’s Chinese garden which has been created by the students.

Catch 22 provides mentoring for children with difficulties to help them read and gain confidence.