In the last fortnight I have been continuing my programme of visits to secondary schools in Northampton North, and I have been really enjoying talking to groups of students- and fielding their sometimes quite challenging questions in Q&A sessions.
First I visited Northampton School for Boys and spoke to Sixth Form students in their ‘Gifted and Talented’ group.
I always enjoy visiting schools and talking with young people, who are invariably enthusiastic. These “Gifted and Talented” pupils are identified as some of the top academic performers. After speaking to them about my work in Parliament and a ‘typical day’ in Westminster, I was happy to take quite a few questions. There were some clever and incisive questions about my work and global current affairs, the difficult situation in Syria and even why thorium is not used as potential nuclear fuel!
In the following week I visited Weston Favell Academy, where I was delighted to address a very large group of students across the age range, who had some more excellent questions on a wide variety of topics – the EU referendum, votes for 16/17 year olds, and many more.
I really enjoy the chance to involve young people in politics, and I am glad to see so many Northampton pupils taking an interest in the subject. I am very much looking forward to my other secondary school visits in the New Year.