Pupils from Merley First School in Wimborne experienced what it is like to be ministers, shadow ministers and backbenchers during a visit from their local MP
The Year 3 pupils invited Michael Tomlinson, Conservative MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, to visit them to discuss a project they had conducted in their geography and English studies.
The children had been tasked
with exploring the geographical hypothesis ‘The quality of the environment improves closer to Delph Woods.’
During a visit to the woodland, which is close to their school, they evaluated five environmental criteria at two points along the way.
The children found that the environment does indeed improve the closer you get to the forest space, with less litter and more plant life and animal habitats.
They also linked their findings to their English work by producing an information leaflet to inspire others to visit the woods.
The children sent congratulations to the council’s forest wardens, whom they met on the trip and also to their local MP, Michael Tomlinson, who sent back his own congratulations and accepted an invitation into school.
Mr Tomlinson entertained the children by dividing them into opposing sides of the House of Commons and explained how MPs chair motions, answer questions and vote.
Inviting them to enter into a ‘parliamentary’ debate on something they had learned about the woods, he acted as Speaker and encouraged them to vote on whether bins should be installed at the beauty spot.
Headteacher Katharine Anstey said: “The children greatly enjoyed Mr Tomlinson’s visit. We had discussed his role as an MP in much detail before his visit and the children had prepared some very intelligent questions.”