A PRIMARY school welcomed their MP to share their progress as part of the Scholars Programme - a prestigious national scheme which gives school pupils an opportunity to experience university-style learning.

Pupils from year five and six at Milton Hall Primary School, in Salisbury Avenue, Southend, met with James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, to tell him more about the programme and their course called English - Nature, Humanity and Literature with their tutor Lorena Salud Gadella Kamstra from the University of Essex.

Mr Duddridge said: "It was great to visit Milton Hall Primary School today, and meet pupils taking part in The Scholars Programme.

"I was very impressed at how they engaged with such a complex and challenging academic topic.

"It just goes to show what young people can achieve if we give them the opportunity.

"I wish the pupils the very best for the future, and I encourage more schools to give their pupils the chance to benefit from this programme."

The Scholars Programme places a PhD researcher in non-selective state schools to deliver university-style tutorials and also involves the pupils visiting two highly-selective universities.

Headteacher Debbie Priest said: "I was delighted to meet with James Duddridge and show them the work pupils are doing.

"I'm proud of the achievements of our pupils and am excited to see how their participation inspires their study and university choices."