Stroud High School has been awarded for completing the Europe-wide EPAS educational programme.

Former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for South West England, Clare Moody, and staff from the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK visited the school to celebrate completion of the programme, which includes developing partnerships with other schools across the continent.

The EU and UK continue to be close partners, as both share deeply held values and democratic principles. These shared values highlight and emphasise the importance of parliamentary democracy and education for young people.

For this reason, the European Parliament Liaison Office in the United Kingdom (EPLO UK) has continued to offer a set of free educational programmes and resources to UK school pupils and college students.

These programmes and resources are designed to nurture mutual understanding, and ensure future generations continue to learn, connect and broaden their horizons together.

The European Parliament Ambassador School (EPAS) scheme is an EU-wide programme, available in the UK since 2021, and connects its member schools to a network of 1,500 schools, and 23,000 pupils and students throughout Europe.

Stroud High School is one of the most active EPAS schools across the network, having completed the programme over the course of two consecutive years (2021 and 2022).

As part of its involvement, Stroud High School attended the first EPAS meet-up event at London's Europe House in May this year, while simultaneously establishing partnerships with schools in Finland and Estonia.

In recognition of their contribution to the EPAS programme, a selection of schools across the UK are recognised with the unveiling of an honorary plaque. To celebrate their achievements, former MEP, Clare Moody, staff from EPLO UK, and school representatives unveiled a plaque at Stroud High School this week.

Following the unveiling, Clare Moody delivered a presentation, and held a Q&A session with a group of Junior Ambassadors, speaking to them about the importance of maintaining close links with our European neighbours, and how they could play a vital role in shaping the future of the UK's relationship with the EU.

Clare Moody, former MEP for South West England, said: "It is always wonderful to see the curious minds of our youth looking out to the rest of the world. The tenacity and dedication of the students and staff at Stroud High School towards learning about keeping strong ties with our friends and neighbours across Europe fills me with optimism towards our global political future."

EPLO UK is driven by its commitment to young people in the UK and continues to encourage other schools across the UK to get involved in its variety of educational programmes and to make use of the available learning resources. Whether by attending an interactive presentation at Europe House (or available in schools on request), taking advantage of free learning resources or seizing the opportunity to participate in EPAS, there is an option for every UK school.

If you are interested in getting your school or college involved in the EPAS programme, find more information on the EPLO UK website or contact eplondon@europarl.europa.eu.