Mrs Helen Grant, Member of Parliament for Maidstone and the Weald, visited St Simon Stock on Friday 4 March to take part in a student-led ‘Question & Answer’ session.

Greeted by school prefects, Nimi and Finley, the two enthusiastic students spoke to Mrs Grant about their views on climate change, showed her a display they have created and handed her a letter collating their beliefs. The MP promised them both that this letter would sit on her desk in Westminster and would be with her as she made the key decisions that will impact our generation.

The prefects then accompanied Mrs Grant to the drama studio for the planned ‘Question & Answer’ session, where a group of 27 students posed many insightful questions to the MP. These ranged from what drove Mrs Grant into politics, to her views on the recently passed Policing Bill that impacts the right to protest.

Furthermore, the MP’s role as Special Envoy for Girls’ Education was talked about in some detail and students asked about the progress made in this field. Discussion was respectful but engaging, and students were able to voice their honest opinions. Mrs Grant made many promises and also vowed to stay in touch with a few students regarding the issues they raised.

During the session, Mrs Grant also took the opportunity to pose her own questions to the room, interested to hear the opinions of our young people on issues such as climate change, the war in Ukraine and more. In this time, students continued to express their concern with the actions of the Government and their concern with social problems.

The event was a success and Helen Grant noted how she enjoyed the experience and a future meeting should surely be arranged. Ultimately, the event showed our student’s aptness for politics and their interest in social activism.