13 year old Shannon demands an audience with Mark
09 Nov 2009
Year 9, Walton-le-Dale Arts College student, Shannon Bradley wrote to her MP, Mark Hendrick to request that he come and speak with her and her fellow pupils to talk about his experiences working in Government. Mark will visit the school on Friday 13th November 2009.
Mark last visited the school in 2006, when he was invited to take part in a campaign to highlight the shortfall of teachers around the world. This time he will be answering questions from Year 9 pupils about life in Westminster.
Shannon wrote: “In Humanities, we are learning all about the Government and all different people and places. I was just wondering if you could take a little of your time to come and speak to us about all you know”.
Mark said: “Whilst I have visited many schools and colleges within my constituency over the years, it is quite unusual for a pupil to invite me to come along and share my thoughts and experiences of working as an MP.”
He went on to say: “I thank Shannon for inviting me to speak to her classmates and I hope I can give a personal perspective on the workings of Parliament and my own personal experiences as a parliamentarian to the class. This will complement the key stage 3 Citizenship provision that exists within the curriculum”.
Mr Tony Hill, Headteacher said: “We are very grateful for Mark taking time to talk to students. Being able to quiz an MP about their life and beliefs is a much more effective learning experience than learning about it in a book. I am really proud of Shannon taking the initiative to contact our local MP”.