SOUTH Craven School students accompanied their deputy head to a special meal with Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith.

Deputy head Paul Snowdon and the two student leaders from the Cross Hills school joined counterparts from secondary schools across the constituency for the politician’s annual School Leaders’ Lunch.

There were representatives from 12 schools at the Red Lion in Burnsall for the seventh annual event, which was set up when Mr Smith was first elected in 2010.

During the meal, Mr Smith spoke about his role as MP for the area before taking questions from the students. The questions covered topics such as affordable housing, tuition fees and local infrastructure.

The pupils also heard from Mike Davies, managing director of Principle Healthcare, which sponsored the lunch, and placement student Olivia Porter.

The pair gave an insight into their roles and gave advice on how graduates, apprentices and school leavers could succeed in their business environment.

Mr Smith said: “It was a pleasure to meet these wonderful students and teachers. It was great to be able to chat with them and answer their thoughtful questions.

“I was impressed to hear about their varied and exciting plans for the future. I was also pleased to have Olivia there to talk about her experience of transitioning from school to further education and work.”

Olivia Porter attended Skipton Girls High School and now studies International Business Management at Northumbria University.

She said: “Working at Principle Healthcare has taught me invaluable business skills. The company empowers you to work to the best of your ability and push yourself so you get as much out of your placement as you can.

“Placement years give you first-hand experience of the day to day life in a business and allow you to put the theory you’ve learnt in the class room into practice.”