30/03/11 ….Thame’s MP goes back to school
THAME MP, John Howell, went back to school on Friday (25 March)to Lord Williams?s, Thame. The MP?s visit included a meeting with the head, David Wybron, to discuss a range of issues about how Government education policy was affecting the school.
John then held a question and answer session with sixth form students who asked a number of questions on topics which ranged widely from the budget and fuel prices to High Speed 2.
John said: ?It is always a pleasure to debate issues with the students at Lord William?s. The questions are spot-on and show both that they are fully aware of current affairs and that they care about the issues of the day.?
Following this, John was the guest at the formal weekly Year 10 assembly. Earlier in the year, Year 10 students had participated in a planning project to understand the issues around new housing in Thame.
The MP congratulated the students on the professionalism of their approach and explained how the planning system was changing and how the approach the students had taken was along the lines of the sort of community and neighbourhood planning that was going to be at the heart of the system in the future.
The visit was arranged by Nicky Stallwood, Personal Development Curriculum Manager at the school. Following the visit Nicky said: ?It was good to have John at the school and for the students to be able to ask questions face to face. It gave them the opportunity to link their work with real life decision making. It always helps when learning can be put into the wider context.?
John commented: ?The Year 10 students showed they cared about their town and their environment but they were also realistic about its needs for the future. They were particularly keen to ensure that environmental issues were addressed such as ensuring that there were green spaces as part of any development. I thought they had particularly good insights and it was clear they had enjoyed the project.?
John also told the students a bit about what it was like to be an MP. Using the example of the how the students passionately supported very different football teams he showed how it was impossible to represent everyone?s views and how an MP needed to listen but then come to his or her own judgement on key issues of the day ? and which football team was best!
SOURCE: Pres release
