Students from Smith’s Wood Academy found themselves walking the corridors of power when they enjoyed a visit to the Houses of Parliament.
The Birmingham school sent 33 lucky students to London for a fascinating glimpse into the home of British democracy at the beginning of February.
The children, selected from Year 7, 8,
10 and 11, were given a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster, including the House of Commons, the House of Lords and a committee room, followed by a chance to sit in on a live debate.
Dee Long, Careers Lead at Smith’s Wood, explained: “The students were a mixture of Student Council members and students who wrote a letter to local MP Liam Byrne, raising local concerns. They were amazing – they really engaged throughout the visit.”
Students enjoyed learning about the history of Parliament, the meaning of democracy, and the importance of sharing their views, all while looking around the historic buildings.
At the end of the trip, Smith’s Wood students watched a live debate from the House of Lords’ public gallery.
The trip was just the latest project designed to help Smith’s Wood students engage with the democratic process and broaden their knowledge of politics and public affairs.
In November last year former Smith’s Wood student Kamren Grant, who is the Chairman of Hodge Hill and Solihull Conservative Party, visited with his colleague
Georgia Peplow, an Education Officer for the Youth Parliament in the UK.
They led a Year 7 assembly on the world of politics, as well as holding one-to-one meetings with members of the School Council.
Then, in December, Nort
h Solihull and Hodge Hill MP Liam Byrne visited Smith’s Wood as part of UK Parliament Week, to engage with the Student Council on national and local issues.
Mrs Long said this month’s visit to Parliament had provided students with a ‘fantastic opportunity’
She said: “Being able to see the wheels of democracy working with their own eyes was a gamechanger for these students.
“For many of them, politics is not often spoken about at home, and for some of our students it was their first time talking openly about the world around them and how laws and decisions are made.
“Visits like this are not always possible, and I am so proud of the way our students conducted themselves. They asked appropriate questions and really bought into the experience.
“They are now in a position to have conversations about politics and democracy at home and at school and spread their new understanding of politics.”