Year 5 pupils at Springfield Community Primary School got a taste of political life as they welcomed local MP Antony Higginbotham and Burnley Borough Councillor Jamie McGowan to school.
The morning was full of questions and answers as the MP explained how Parliament worked and then acted as Speaker of the House for a Parliamentary debate. Our young MPs sat on Parliamentary benches on both sides of the House, and everyone had a say. After much debate, they decided by a small majority that children should be paid to go to school and nearly all voted for some (not all) junk food being banned for children.
Speaking about the visit local MP Antony Higginbotham said,
It was brilliant to visit Springfield Primary School as part of my school tour! And even better to see the children's confidence grow as we got into the mock Parliament! I took plenty of questions on a range of topics and want to thank all the staff for the warm welcome.
I also have to confess to being over the moon when one of the children said they now thought they might like to become a Member of Parliament one day! I want every child to reach their full potential, and aim to the best they can be. Politics feels distant for too many, but these children dived straight in.
Pupils also quizzed Councillor Jamie McGowan on what a Councillor does and his role in supporting an MP. As he grew up in Burnley Wood not far from the school, the children were interested in how he became involved in politics. Councillor McGowan explained,
I’ve always had an interest in what goes on in Burnley and Padiham and having been elected as a new Councillor last year I’ve been able to make sure the decisions taken locally are in the best interests of the residents I represent. It also allows me to make a real different to people’s lives by helping with a range of issues they may have.
I’ve always thought that if you want to make your area the best place it can be, then you have to get involved. And no matter where you come from, so long as you are ready to roll up your sleeves and work hard you can do it.
That’s exactly what I did because it’s where all my friends and family live and I’m really proud to be from the area. If you want to see positive change then you have to get involved.
MP Antony Higginbotham added,
You can all do any job that you want in this country if you work hard, get good grades and stick at it.
Class teacher Andrew Douglas said,
We learn about British values but having Antony and Jamie in the classroom has brought this to life and given pupils a deeper understanding of how Parliament works and why voting is important. The whole experience was thought provoking and will give our children a fresh perspective moving forward.”
What did the pupils think? Thomas reflected, “I learned a lot and I have changed my mind. When I am older, I want to be a politician.
Irfa suggested, “We should do more things like this. We have learned about different people.”
All agreed, “It was inspirational.”
