Pupils have been putting their ‘world leader’ caps on as they debate the issue of 58 million children not in primary school.

Rhodes Avenue Primary School, in Rhodes Avenue, Wood Green, has called on its students to step into the shoes of world leaders with politicians set to gather in New York in September to discuss global poverty.

The Send My Friend to School Campaign has seen the pupils tell local MP Catherine West.

Shane Claridge at Rhodes Avenue Primary School said: “Pupils have been learning about the barriers to education for millions of children in the developing world.

“They have been deeply moved by the unfair state of affairs that children in some developing countries cannot enjoy the same opportunities that they enjoy here and how not accessing education can trap young people in a cycle of poverty and potential ill health.

“They have been determined to keep the second Millennium Development Goal – ‘achieve universal primary education’ - in the political limelight. It’s been fantastic to see how much they’ve enjoyed stepping into the shoes of world leaders and trying to make a difference for children that don’t have the opportunities they have.”

The teacher also paid tribute to MP Catherine West who visited the school to take part in the debate.

Taahra Ghazi, Head of Campaigns for the Send My Friend to School campaign added: “We are delighted that pupils at Rhodes Avenue Primary School have shown their passion and determination that world leaders should keep their promise to get all children into primary school by the end of 2015.”