Dr Neil Hudson, Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, recently returned to King Harold Academy in Waltham Abbey for a comprehensive visit that included a school tour, classroom drop-ins, and a Q&A session with members of the newly formed Student Parliament.
Dr Hudson was welcomed by Assistant Headteacher Mr Adam Cotton before meeting staff and pupils during lessons. He was particularly impressed by the exceptional quality of artwork produced by GCSE students and praised their creativity and attention to detail.
The visit also highlighted King Harold Academy’s strong focus on careers education and employability. Dr Hudson praised the school’s extensive Work Experience programme and careers events, which equip pupils with practical skills in CV writing, application forms, and letters of application. He also commended the Academy’s wide range of enrichment opportunities, including the annual Careers Fair and higher education workshops and trips delivered through the Make Happen Programme. Dr Hudson was particularly pleased to hear about the school’s partnership with local football clubs, including an upcoming visit to Tottenham Hotspur’s Training Ground in Enfield, which supports pupils in exploring diverse career pathways such as sports management.
Dr Hudson later met tutors and pupils from the Academy’s A Champion for Every Child (ACE) programme to discuss key challenges facing the local community, such as limited transport options for Waltham Abbey students and the impact on access to further education and training. He also held discussions with the school’s Inclusion Manager, Mrs Lisa Daveney, to gain a deeper understanding of the pressures on the SEND system.
The visit concluded with an engaging Q&A session with members of the newly-established Student Parliament. Pupils posed thoughtful questions on a range of national and international issues, including the cost of living, the NHS, and UK–US relations. Dr Hudson was highly impressed by the students’ confidence, engagement and depth of knowledge.
Following the visit, Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
“It was a real pleasure to return to King Harold Academy and see first-hand the fantastic work being done to support and inspire young people.
“The commitment of staff to nurturing both academic achievement and wider life skills is clear, and I was particularly impressed by the confidence and insight shown by members of the new Student Parliament.
“Opportunities such as strong careers education are vital in helping young people reach their full potential, and I look forward to continuing to support the Academy and its pupils in the future.”
Assistant Headteacher, Mr Adam Cotton, said:
“The visit was a resounding success, providing our students with an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with local democracy and leaving them feeling truly empowered and inspired for the future."
