KEIGHLEY school students on a groundbreaking aspiration-boosting scheme met a Cabinet minister when he visited the town.

More than half a dozen University Academy Keighley (UAK) students spoke to Francis Maude about their involvement in Global Diversity Positive Action (GDPA).

The initiative helps young people with employment skills, arrange talks by inspirational business people and links students with personal mentors.

Mr Maude, minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, met the UAK Year 11 students on Friday at the Young People’s Centre in Parkwood.

They were accompanied by UAK principal Linda Wallsgrove and lead behaviour director, Phill Allen.

“The students were very nervous but they all got up and spoke, and they loved it,” said Mr Allen.

As part of the programme, the students have also visited the House of Commons and were invited to a conference staged by Microsoft.