Schools Minister David Laws visited a Hackney school to witness first hand the difference young volunteers are making to children’s education there.

A team of seven 18-to-25-year-olds from education and youth charity City Year have devoted a year to act as near-peer role models and mentors at Sebright School in Audrey Street, Haggerston.

This is the third year the charity has been based at the school and the aim is to ensure pupils enjoy school and improve their attendance, behaviour and curriculum progress.

MP David Laws said the commitment from the volunteers is inspirational: “They have proved themselves an invaluable resource, helping to ensure that no pupil is left behind.

“City Year is tackling two of the biggest issues of concern, not just to me, but society in general - the underachievement of disadvantaged children and the need for more chances for young people to gain skills that will help them secure their first job.”