Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, met with Sweyne Park School on their recent visit to the Palace of Westminster. Pupils and staff from the school, led by Assistant Head, Mr Simon Smith, were given the exciting opportunity to take a tour of Westminster, before taking part in a question and answer session with their MP in Portcullis House.
Both staff and pupils from Sweyne Park were met in Westminster Hall by their guides, before embarking on an extensive tour of the Houses of Parliament, which included viewing the chambers in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons, the Royal Gallery, the Queen’s robbing room and the Voting Lobbies, as well as discussions on the history and architecture of what is one of the most recognised buildings in the world.
Following the tour, the children were taken to a specially set up committee room in Portcullis House that enables the pupils to take part in role plays, where they were able to learn about how Bills are passed, and the various levels of Government that exist in Britain, as well as mock voting exercises, where the children voted to bring back corporal punishment for any food-related theft!
Mark was able to join the children following their lesson for a question and answer session during which the pupils questioned Mark on various issues including teachers’ pay, and how Mark initially became and MP.
Speaking about the visit, Mark Francois said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome Sweyne Park School to Westminster. I think it is important for young people from my constituency to take an early interest in the democratic process, and I hope the children enjoyed their tour and subsequent learning session. The pupils certainly seemed to be a bright and engaging group and I look forward to staying in touch with Sweyne Park School, not least as I am aiming to visit the school later in the year”.