Julia Lopez was grilled by local students during a Friday visit to Hornchurch’s Olive Academy, as part of her work promoting UK Parliament Week. The lively session gave students a chance to ask questions about politics, democracy, and what it is like to represent Havering residents in Westminster. 

As the local MP, Julia uses UK Parliament Week as a chance to get out to local schools and connect directly with students, answering their questions about politics, civic life, and public service. She has visits lined up this week to more schools across the area. 

Olive Academy, part of the Olive Academies Trust, is a specialist alternative provision for eleven- to sixteen-year-olds who have faced challenges in mainstream education. With smaller classes, tailored support, and a nurturing environment, the Academy helps students rebuild confidence, engage with learning, and prepare for the future. 

During the visit, Julia spoke with citizenship students, toured the Academy with Deputy Head Leah McGee, and learned more about the emotional support and flexible curriculum Olive provides. They work closely with other local schools and Havering Council to ensure every pupil receives the guidance they need either to return to their school or find the right next steps in life. 

Speaking after the visit, Julia Lopez MP said: 

“Olive Academy is doing crucial work to make sure that every young person in our community gets the best opportunity to succeed. I was struck by Leah’s commitment to reaching those pupils who, for many different reasons, have not found the right fit in a mainstream setting. The team at Olive provides tailored support that helps students build confidence and move forward positively. I am grateful for everything they do for families across the constituency and the wider Havering community.” 

For many students at Olive Academy, mainstream education did not work—but here, with the right support, they are proving that a different approach can unlock real potential.