David Ruffley has been invited to join the panel of VIPs at King Edward VI School on the afternoon of Friday, 10 June for the culmination of the 'Promoting Positive Behaviour' project.

This project is a joint venture between the three upper schools in Bury St Edmunds- King Edward VI, County Upper and St Benedict's. Over five hundred year 10 students will be taking part during the course of the week.

Some of the aims of the project are:

•To engage with a wide range of community partners, police, local businesses, youth workers, housing officers, shopkeepers, local councillors etc

•To work with young people and community partners to address issues of anti-social behaviour in specifically identified local areas and look at strategies for young people to become engaged with and committed to their communities.

•To develop responsibility for communities, raise awareness of economic and social cohesion and look at strategies to improve behaviour.

At the session on Friday afternoon the students will put forward their proposals to the members of the panel which will comprise representatives of the police, LEA, West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds Chamber of Commerce and St Edmundsbury Borough Council. The panel will be asked to comment on the students' proposals.

David said: 'It is great to see the contents of the citizenship curriculum being put to practical use in this way. The work the students have been doing on this project will give them a real insight into important issues in their local community which affect the lives of everyone. What they are learning here will help to instil positive attitudes towards taking responsibility within their town and help them to appreciate how the various organisations- such as the police, the local council, local businesses and social care agencies- operate within the community. I congratulate the students on what they have achieved this week.

This is about building a better Bury St Edmunds.'