Billy Jones, the Class 3 teacher at Warcop Church of England Primary School, successfully earned a place to attend the UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme in the Houses of Parliament, where he met with Dr Neil Hudson to discuss the work of the UK Parliament and our democracy.
The UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme tools participants with a better understanding of our parliamentary democracy and shows them how they can better engage with the work that takes place in Westminster. It is exceptionally well-regarded by the participants each year and, since the start of the scheme, hundreds of teachers have been trained, who themselves have gone on to train thousands more of their students and colleagues.
Billy is the first teacher from Penrith and The Border to take part in the 3-day immersive training programme in Parliament. Over the course he heard from Members of Parliament and those who work in key roles across the parliamentary estate as well as other educators from across the country.
Dr Hudson was pleased to meet Billy in Westminster and hear about his progress in the course. They discussed the need for greater political literacy among young people in order to produce engaged voting citizens of the future - a core tenet of our democracy.
Billy Jones, UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador from Warcop CofE School said:
"Attending this training programme was a truly unique experience. The diverse range of speakers (from MPs to peers, doorkeepers to broadcasters) provided invaluable insights into the inner workings of our democratic system. It was a pleasure to meet and collaborate with teachers from across the UK, and to do so within the Parliamentary Estate was just surreal.
"I am excited to initiate projects with my students to inspire them to become active members of our democracy which I think is particularly important here, where Westminster can seem so far away."
Dr Neil Hudson MP added:
"Engagement and dialogue with young people is of fundamental importance to our democracy and I'm so glad we have education pioneers like Billy leading the way locally. The programme Billy has undertaken will give him the tools to develop active citizens of the future.
"Having visited Warcop School and welcomed pupils down to Westminster, it is clear to me they teach to a very high standard and our young folk are in good hands."
Dr Hudson is keen to engage with schools locally - to register your interest for a visit, email [email protected]
Moreover Dr Hudson is encouraging teachers to visit Parliament with their pupils. More information can be found here.
