Students and staff at Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy (CLCA) were delighted to welcome Hilary Benn MP to the academy as part of UK Parliament Week, an initiative designed to foster interest in parliament among young people.
Mr Benn was given a tour of the academy’s new facilities by eager students, gaining first-hand experience of the modern learning environment they enjoy. He also visited several classes, engaging with students and gaining valuable insights into the curriculum at CLCA.
In a lively Q&A session with students, Mr Benn fielded a range of thoughtful and insightful questions, covering topics such as the balance between local and national responsibilities, the most and least enjoyable aspects of his role, and pathways for young people to enter the political arena and make their voices heard.
He emphasised the importance of political engagement, encouraging students to actively participate in the democratic process and to respect the views of others, even when they differ from their own.
Mrs Spencer-Hall, Assistant Headteacher at CLCA, expressed her gratitude to Mr Benn for his visit, stating:
“We are incredibly grateful to Mr Benn for taking the time to visit Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy. We were thrilled to showcase our new academy facilities and to provide students with the opportunity to engage with a prominent figure like Mr Benn on issues that directly impact them.
“His visit was met with great enthusiasm from both students and staff, and his insightful responses to questions sparked stimulating discussions among our students.”
Mr Benn’s visit to CLCA proved to be a valuable experience for students, providing them with a deeper understanding of the political process and empowering them to become active participants in shaping their future. It also served as a platform for students to connect with an experienced politician, gaining valuable insights into his experiences and perspectives.
This post is based on a press release issued by Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy
While you’re here, can we ask a favour?
South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we’ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper – up 83% in the last 12 months.
Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?
Donate here, or sign up for a subscription at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe
