news story

15th June 2007

Local MP Speaks In Small Schools' Parliament

Northavon MP Steve Webb today joined more than one hundred pupils from schools across South Gloucestershire as they gathered together to voice their concerns on a range of issues.

Year 5 pupils from nine small schools in the area joined together to hold the first small schools’ parliament at Bradley Stoke Community School.  The schools taking part included Iron Acton, North Road, Rangeworthy, Oldbury, Old Sodbury, Hawkesbury, Horton, Tortworth and St Andrews.

The children debated issues such as staying safe, being healthy, how to make learning exciting and challenging and how they and others can make a positive contribution to their community.  Mr Webb spoke to them about his own work in the Westminster Parliament as their local MP.

Commenting after the event, Steve Webb said:

"It was a great pleasure to talk to local ten year-olds from small schools across the area about the role of an MP. I was very impressed by their answers to my questions, and think I might have a bit of competition for my job in a few years!

"I also think that an event like this shows the value of the many small schools from across our area, and of the education that they provide".