Plympton students quiz South West Devon MP during Westminster educational visit

Rebecca Smith MP has met students and staff from Plympton Academy during a visit to Parliament this week.

The Member of Parliament for South West Devon met the group on Tuesday 20 January while they were taking part in a “Learn with the Lords” education day in Westminster. 

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Ms Smith spent time with a group of Year 12 students after their guided tour of Parliament, taking part in a question-and-answer session with the students. 

The pupils, who are studying subjects including sociology, criminology, history and English media, asked questions on a range of political and social issues.

Reflecting on the visit, Ms Smith said:

“Whenever schools from South West Devon visit Parliament, I make every effort to meet with the students and staff. 

“On Tuesday, I was delighted to spend time with Year 12 students and teachers from Plympton Academy after their tour.”

She added:

“Students studying sociology, criminology, history and English media asked thoughtful and insightful questions on a wide range of issues. 

“We also took a quick picture in Westminster Hall before the students had to dash off to meet members of the House of Lords.”

ABOVE: The Westminster visit included a question-and-answer session with South West Devon Conservative MP Rebecca Smith (Image: Rebecca Smith)

As part of their “Learn with the Lords” programme, the students took part in a full day of activities at the Parliamentary Estate. 

These included a guided tour of the historic buildings, observing the House of Commons in session from the public gallery, and joining a carousel-style discussion with five members of the House of Lords.

Ms Smith said the visit was also an opportunity to raise awareness of a planned summer school aimed at young people in her constituency.

“It was also a great opportunity to plug my summer school which will provide young people across my constituency an opportunity to engage with politics,” she said.

The summer school is open to students from across South West Devon and is intended to give young people an insight into political life and the work of Parliament. 

Plympton Academy’s visit forms part of a wider programme of school and college visits to Parliament, designed to help students better understand how government and law-making work in practice.