AN OTLEY school's support for an international campaign to give all children access to education has been backed by the local MP.

Students at Prince Henry's Grammar School have made paper 'buddies' - cut-out figures sporting their own personal messages - for the Send My Friend to School movement.

The campaign aims to use the collective voice of thousands of pupils across the UK to remind world leaders of their responsibilities when it comes to helping children access education.

Prince Henry's highlighted the issue during its recent Diversity Day, when MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) visited and met Year 7 students Joshan Chana, Robyn Gulley, Laura McPherson and Tom Winter.

Laura said: "Going to school is something we take for granted and I was really shocked when I realised how many children around the world aren’t able to go.

"I think everyone should support this campaign."

Mr Mulholland said: "This is a great campaign with a simple but really important message.

“Education gives people control over their lives, helps them earn money, feed their families and contribute to their society.

"At the moment 69 million children in the world are unable to go to school and as a result have little chance of fulfilling their potential.

"I hope the Prince Henry's students who are supporting this campaign will always remember how lucky they are to receive such a great education here in Otley, and will continue to fight for less privileged children in other countries of the world."

The school's modern foreign languages teacher and International Co-Ordinator, Georgina Anson, added: "As the first high school in the Yorkshire and Humber region to be awarded the Unicef Rights Respecting Children Award, our work on children’s rights across the world is vitally important to the school.

"Working with the students on this campaign really brings that message to life for them.”

Prince Henry's also holds the highest level of the Stephen Lawrence Educational Standard - Level Three - and its curriculum regularly covers international campaigns for children’s rights.