Even though Parliament’s recess is now over, I am still getting out and about in the constituency.
It was back to school not once, but three times as I paid visits to William Westley Primary, Monkfield Primary and Hills Road Sixth Form College. It was a touch of the familiar at William Westley as the all-important election results for school councillors was due to be announced. It was great to see young children already so engaged in democracy.
An award winner of different sorts was on the timetable next as I visited the Cambridge Evening News Primary School of the Year, Monkfield Primary in Cambourne. It was evident why they had won from the moment I walked through the door. I don’t think I have ever seen children so engaged, from cross curricular working to an entire lesson conducted in Spanish. The teaching at Monkfield truly is first class and all the staff and head should be tremendously proud of what they have achieved at this shining example of a school. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have seen one of South Cambridgeshire’s finest schools in action.
I have extended an invite to the pupils at Monkfield and William Westley to come and visit me in Parliament.
Student politics was as alive and feisty as ever when I attended a Q&A session hosted by Hills road Sixth Form College alongside my city counterpart Daniel Zeichner. It was a chance for some of Cambridgeshire’s best and brightest young adults to quiz Daniel and I on matters from student loans to housing
On 20 September, I was honoured to be invited as a guest to the Battle of Britain Air Show at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. I feel so lucky to have this fabulous historical facility in my constituency. Clear skies, 20 Spitfires, need I say more?
The following week I scrubbed up and visited Papworth Hospital just days after its cardiothoracic surgeons were announced as some of the best in the country. During my visit I observed a number of procedures, viewed the hospital’s state-of-the-art Critical Care Lab and met with senior staff from the hospital.
It very quickly became clear to me why local people are so proud of Papworth. I have only one word to describe what I saw, “wow”. When compassion, skill, technology and science come together, you create something very special and I saw that in action.
In September I also met with the board of Addenbrooke’s and spent a day in a GP’s surgery. The staff who make our NHS what it is should be very proud of themselves.
Although the challenges that our NHS face are huge, both operationally and financially I have committed to working with them in partnership to ensure they get the support they need to carry on delivering 1st class services. We are in this together.