New Horizons Primary School welcomes MP to meet enthusiastic Pupil Parliament

A group of children who are aspiring leaders of the future welcomed their MP into their school for a tour, questions about her job and an insight into her role at the King’s coronation.

Penny Mordaunt MP was greeted by members of the Pupil Parliament at New Horizons Primary School recently, who showed the MP around the whole school before answering questions from the enthusiastic group.

The visit was led by the school’s Pupil Parliament which launched in September. The aim of the group is to promote pupil leadership opportunities, giving the children the chance to work as a team to develop communication and debating skills while doing good for the community.

Ms Mordaunt was questioned about what she wanted to do when she was younger, her love for walking in the country, and her regular engagements with the King as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council.

She said: “When I was younger, I wanted to be a police officer. Someone then suggested that I would be good to do the job of an MP, and here I am today with a brilliant job representing a city I love. I think it’s important that people encourage others to do something, especially if you may have not seen yourself doing that.”

Mrs Hannah Powell, Assistant Headteacher at New Horizons Primary School who is leading the school’s Pupil Parliament, says it was wonderful for the children to meet a significant figure in politics.

She said: “We are passionate about encouraging our children to be their best selves and strive to work hard to achieve their aspiration. Many of the children in our Pupil Parliament want to be leaders when they grow up, and loved listening to what Penny had to say about her role, especially the amazing stories about her meetings with the late Queen and regular engagements with the King.

“It was lovely to see the amazement on the faces of the children when they were hearing all about some of the exciting things Penny has done as their local MP, I believe it’s important they get the opportunity to meet important people from the city to show they can achieve anything if they put their heart and mind into it.

“At New Horizons Primary School, our focus is to make a difference, by encouraging and inspiring everyone to be successful learners, responsible citizens and happy, confident individuals. Visits such as this one with Penny allow us to build on that.”