Nearly 300 pupils from nine different schools across Rugby and Bulkington have visited Parliament since September 2016 to learn more about the history and the work of MPs.
Local MP Mark Pawsey, who has encouraged schools in the constituency to visit Parliament, met with pupils from both the Oakfield Primary Academy and from the Riverside Academy during their trips in September. Mark spoke to them about his work as a Member of Parliament and answered their questions about life in Parliament.
On a visit to Parliament pupils are taken on a tour of the Palace of Westminster, including seeing the House of Commons and the House of Lords, before taking part in activity sessions organised by the Parliamentary Education Unit at the state of the art education centre.
Speaking after meeting with pupils from Oakfield Primary Academy, Mark commented:
“It is great that so many schools from across Rugby and Bulkington have taken the opportunity to visit Parliament. I always thoroughly enjoy the meeting with pupils to explain the work of MPs in Westminster and I was particularly impressed with questions which pupils from Oakfield Primary put to me during the question and answer session.”
Mark continued:
“The pupils were able to take full advantage of Parliament’s new Education Centre by taking part in interactive workshops to explore the role, process and history of Parliament and to find out how they can engage more actively in our democracy. I would encourage every local school to organise a visit to Westminster by contacting the Education Service on 0207 219 4496.”
Mark concluded:
“I have always believed that it is important that Parliament is accessible to everyone, including schools, so they are able to experience our political system and become engaged in politics at an early age. I hope to welcome many more classes from Rugby and Bulkington to Parliament over the coming months and look forward to answering their questions about the role of MPs.”
Lucinda Abel, Key Stage 2 Phase Leader at Oakfield Primary Academy, added:
“We very much enjoyed meeting Mark Pawsey on Wednesday when we visited Parliament. Our children found it interesting how much work an MP has to do; they were very keen to ask him questions about what inspired him to become an MP and even what sort of car he drives! Our school has visited the Houses of Parliament twice now and thoroughly enjoy the educational visit which is once in a lifetime.”