It was a two-way exchange of questions between Maidstone & The Weald MP Helen Grant and 17 young year 5 students at Shernold School in Queens Avenue, Maidstone.
How do you become an MP?; have you met the Queen?; what is the job of an MP?; which cabinet position would you like best?; describe a local emergency you have been involved with.....
The questions came thick and fast as the children, aged 10 and 11, all had a free reign to ask anything they wanted. Then Mrs Grant turned the tables and each young pupil was asked what they wanted to do when they got older; Play football for Spurs and Barcelona, become a lawyer, a doctor, an actress, a dancer, an Olympic cross-country runner; these were just a few of the aspirational responses
Helen said; "These wonderful young people were so well prepared for our meeting and so aspirational too. My advice to them was believe in yourself and don't let other people put you off. Set your goals, work hard and you will achieve. They then told me what their school motto was: 'Believe and you will achieve'. Perfect, I thought."
Head Teacher Sandra Dinsmore said;
"To meet a real life Member of Parliament was such an amazing opportunity for our children. They were really inspired and asked Mrs Grant many questions which ultimately furthered their understanding of British Values and Rules of Law"
Deputy Head Gemma Myers said;
"It was such a treat to have Helen Grant come and talk with the children. It really brought the subject alive and helped them understand the role of our local MP. Mrs Grant was warm and really interested in the children themselves, which they thoroughly appreciated."