THE children of Abbotsweld Primary Academy were treated to a visit from their local Member of Parliament, Chris Vince, who engaged with Year 5 and 6 pupils in a lively discussion about the workings of Parliament.

The visit was part of the children’s curriculum, where they have been learning about the UK Parliament. The children were eager to ask Chris about how Parliament has evolved over the years, his current passion projects, and his plans to address pressing local issues such as homelessness and potholes.

Throughout the visit, Chris emphasised the importance of engagement and encouraged the children to stay informed and involved in their community. He introduced the concept of ‘bobbing’ – a technique used in Parliament where MPs stand up to catch the Speaker’s attention. The children were fascinated by this and have since incorporated ‘bobbing’ into their classroom activities as part of their oracy strategy.

The visit concluded with a Q&A session, where the students asked a range of questions about Chris’s role and responsibilities as an MP. The children left the session inspired and more knowledgeable about the democratic process, eager to continue their studies on Parliament.

Abbotsweld Primary Academy’s Headteacher expressed gratitude for Chris’s visit, noting the positive impact it had on the children. “It’s wonderful to see our pupils so engaged and enthusiastic about learning. Chris’s visit has brought their learning to life and shown them the importance of being active in the community and world around them.”