Back to school: Budding Dunstable politicians get top tips from MP

Students from across the school have been taking part in democracy-themed activities all week, standing as candidates for parties such as the ‘Enrichment Party’ and the ‘Innovation and Tech Party’, delivering speeches in special assemblies, and testing their knowledge in quizzes about how laws are made.

The week ended with students putting MP Alex Mayer in the hot seat, quizzing her on life in Parliament, what an MP actually does, and how young people can make their voices heard.

The well-informed pupils came armed with a wide range of questions – from how laws are made, to what inspires someone to go into politics - and shared their own ideas for improving their school and community.

Alex Mayer MP said: “UK Parliament Week is a brilliant opportunity for children to get involved in our democracy and understand how their voices can make a difference. The pupils at Priory Academy were full of thoughtful questions and great ideas about how to improve their school and community. Helping young people learn about politics isn’t just important – it’s essential, because they are the voters and leaders of the future.”

Assistant Headteacher Katie Kiernan Brazier added: “We were thrilled to welcome Alex Mayer MP to Priory Academy to witness firsthand the enthusiasm and engagement our students have with both local and national politics. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to discuss community issues directly with a key decision-maker and gain valuable insights into the workings of government.”

Ms Mayer added that she will be pressing Ministers to support young people’s access to democratic education, backing changes recommended by the independent curriculum review for improvements to the teaching of democracy and mandatory citizenship education expected to take effect in 2027.