Northampton College students given tour of Houses of Parliament by Northampton North MP

Fifteen first year students studying public services visited the public galleries to watch government in action. Live debates covered real life terrorism threats and NHS spending concerns, after which the students spent time in the House of Commons’ interactive classrooms, where they took part in law making scenarios.

Tony Turner, lecturer in Uniform Public Services at Northampton College, said: “Students split into groups to represent Government and the opposition and then chose topics to debate. The opposition won the first round, debating the abolishment of the law to stay in education until the age of 18. Superb experience for our students and a true taste of politics and parliament.”

Michael Ellis MP for Northampton North, whose constituency includes Northampton College, visited the students at the House of Commons and talked about his journey into politics, after initially working as a lawyer in Northampton.

Students asked the MP about the government’s decision to raise the education leaving age to 18.