Students from Galashiels Academy recently paid a visit to Westminster to learn more about how the UK Parliament works.
The group of 26 senior pupils studying within the Social Subjects Faculty visited the Parliament this week to attend a workshop and have a tour of the building.
The UK Parliament offers a range of services for visiting schools from across the UK, including tours and workshops on a range of subjects including law making, debating and voting. Schools from outside London and the south east are eligible for a transport subsidy to help pay for the cost of coming to Westminster. Those from the Scottish Borders can apply for a contribution of 75 per cent of travel costs.
Their local MP, John Lamont welcomed the group to the House of Commons and spoke with them about their impression of the Parliament. John will also be visiting the school to speak to modern studies students about life as a Member of Parliament.
Speaking afterwards, John Lamont MP said: “It was great to welcome pupils and staff from Galashiels Academy to Westminster. I hope it was an interesting and rewarding experience to see for themselves how the UK Parliament works.
“Because of our location, many Borderers have visited the Scottish Parliament and some have a feeling that Westminster is somehow less accessible. I’d encourage anyone with an interest to try to make a trip down to see how Scotland’s other Parliament works. While it may look imposing from the outside, Westminster is open to visitors all year round Monday to Saturday to attend debates, committee hearings or take a tour.
“It’s particularly worthwhile for schools, with a huge amount to see and do in Westminster. Schools can also get a contribution towards travel costs to make the trip more affordable.”
Mr Scott, Modern Studies and Social Subjects Teacher at Galashiels Academy said: “We have a large number of students who are interested in politics so visiting Westminster and meeting with John was a superb opportunity for them to learn more about the role of an MP.
“It also provided pupils with a great platform to ask questions and discuss issues that they have been looking at as part of their higher modern studies course and allowed some pupils to think about work experience opportunities alongside parliamentary representatives or even at Westminster itself.”
5th Year Pupil Jack Gammie added: “Meeting with John was a great experience as it allowed me to get an insight into the daily tasks of an MP and how he represents his constituents both in Parliament and in his constituency.”