Justin Tomlinson MP visited Ruskin Junior School in Upper Stratton to talk to the school assembly about Parliament and also the importance of writing.
Ruskin have been focusing on the importance of writing as a school, working it into all different subject areas.
Justin spoke a little on the campaigns he has championed in Parliament - school libraries, school sport and financial education for young people, all of which the children thought were good campaigns. He also spoke a bit about writing in Parliament, from speeches to the drafting of bills.
They then had to pick their favourite and whilst every campaign had its keen supporters, school sport won by an overwhelming majority.
One side of the room became the House of Commons, the other side the House of Lords. The Year 6s at the back became the Select Committee, carrying out the vital task of choosing their favourite sports stars and teachers to consult on their plans.
That was where the agreement stopped. The Bill, carried by the nominated Clerk, went back and forth between Commons and Lords, with both sides disagreeing on how much extra sport they wanted and the House of Lords enjoying their power to say no.
After a bit of ping-pong between the two Houses, the Ruskin Parliament eventually passed a Bill that called for four hours extra sport every week in schools.
The Clerk then had to take the Bill to the ‘Queen’ who happily granted it Royal Assent.
Justin Tomlinson MP said "It was great to be able to come to Ruskin Junior School to meet the whole school and engage them in their very own Parliamentary process. The children really got stuck in to the Parliamentary process and seemed very knowledgeable – this is a real testament to the school and its staff.”
