Weston Favell Academy, one of the secondary schools in my Northampton North constituency, recently asked me to visit the school again to have a look around and meet some students and staff. I was shown around by the Principal Rachel Steele, and indeed have visited several times over the years and spoken to groups of students about parliament and politics.
On this occasion whilst being shown around various classrooms, we stopped by a History class where the students were learning about the Suffragettes. I could not resist telling them about the suffragette who in the year 1911 hid in a broom cupboard in the House of Commons so she could list her address in the Census as The Houses of Parliament, at a time when women were not allowed in Parliament. The broom cupboard still exists and now has a plaque inside commemorating the event.
Weston Favell School does face challenges, and it has my support in its work to make improvements. I can see though that the management team, the dedicated teaching staff and the hardworking students are working hard to achieve their goals.
Also in the last fortnight I visited Northampton School for Boys one Friday evening as a guest of the Head Master to watch a school production of the musical ‘Oliver!’ which was very enjoyable, well-preformed and entertaining.
Education for our young people is crucial to their future development and prospects and I will continue to support our schools in Northampton North, with more visits to schools to talk to students being planned.