A Business & Enterprise Specialist

Visit from John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons

We were delighted, to be chosen as the first school outside of London to be visited by John Bercow, the recently elected Speaker of the House of Commons.

The event took place on Wednesday 23^rd September when Mr Bercow was joined by our MP David Clelland. Mr Bercow delivered a rousing assembly to Year Ten; beginning by describing his own background to us and how he rose from fairly humble roots. He emphasised that he was able to succeed due to encouragement from his parents, hard work and sheer determination – sage advice which all our pupils can be inspired by. He was also emphatic in his beliefs that our entire country’s future is dependent upon the skills, ability and focus of our young people.

He then opened up the floor to receive questions from the year group – I am sure I am not alone in being incredibly impressed with the confidence and maturity which was displayed as they fired a series of well-researched points at him, all of which he answered engagingly with an impressive combination of gravitas and humour. We learned about the difficulties he has had in setting aside his own political beliefs to be an impartial member of Parliament; how hard it is to control 645 raucous MPs all vying to be heard; his desires to engage young people with the world of politics; and the fact that some of his own teachers may have been very surprised that he ended up in politics rather than prison. I also saw a few eyes light up when he revealed exactly how much he is paid – I think we may now have several budding politicians in our midst!

His lunch with our School Council was a huge success – they rose magnificently to the opportunity to question him about his career, as well as to seek his views on local issues which concern them. We followed this with a tour of the school (he was incredibly impressed with the standard of the new build and the facilities we are able to offer our students).

Mr Bercow had been tipped off about our Steel Band, and requested an impromptu performance from them – I must express admiration and thanks for how quickly they rallied together to do so– and he was moved and awed by their skills.  

Before departing, Mr Bercow emphasised to Mrs Rouse and myself how honoured he had been to visit our school, how impressed he was by the way we are progressing, and that our students are a real credit to both the school and the community. He also mentioned the chance to take some students to London to see Parliament in action, so watch this space...