Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois recently welcomed local Catholic primary school, Our Lady Of Ransom, and their retiring Headteacher, Mr Francis O’Brien, to the Palace of Westminster, following an invitation extended during Mark’s visit to the school in July.
Sixty staff and pupils from the school were given the exciting opportunity to take a tour of Westminster, including both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Following their tour, both the children and teachers met Mark before having their photograph taken together outside Westminster Hall. The visit was somewhat poignant as it was led by Headteacher Mr Francis O’Brien, who is retiring at the end of the summer after nearly twenty years at the school.
The tour of Westminster included a discussion on the history of the Houses of Parliament, a visit to both chambers as well as the chance to look at the Royal Robing Room used by her Majesty the Queen during the State Opening of Parliament. Mark took questions from the children and then provided the pupils and staff with certificates to commemorate their visit.
Commenting on the visit, Mark said:
“It was a great pleasure to welcome the pupils from Our Lady Of Ransom to Westminster for their tour. I believe it is very important that children are given the opportunity to visit Parliament and begin to get an appreciation and understanding of how our democracy works from an early age. I hope that the pupils enjoyed their time in London, and found the tour of the Houses of Parliament both informative and entertaining. It was also lovely to be able to invite Mr O’Brien, who has served the school and its pupils so very ably for many years. I wish him all the very best for a happy retirement.”