Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North, has welcomed Year 5 pupils from North Fawdon Primary School to the Houses of Parliament during a recent visit to London.

During their time in Parliament, the children grilled Catherine on her work as their MP, before being taken on a tour of the historic building and then watching a debate on the NHS from the House of Commons Gallery.

The North Fawdon visit to Parliament came as part of a wider trip to the capital which took in the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, a boat excursion down the Thames and a visit to The Shard, and was funded by the Fawdon Ward Committee.

Catherine first offered to host North Fawdon pupils at the House of Commons when she visited the school to hear more about the progress it has made in recent years.

Catherine said:

‘One of my favourite parts of being an MP is meeting with young people from across Newcastle North – and it’s always a privilege to be able to host local schools like North Fawdon in Parliament.

‘I know that I work in one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, and being able to share that with young people from my constituency means a lot.

‘The North Fawdon pupils were a real credit to their school and hopefully have been inspired by their visit to engage even more in politics.’

North Fawdon Primary Headteacher, Alison Cairns, said:

‘Interviewing Catherine and being in the Houses of Parliament was a truly memorable occasion for our Year Five class!

‘The whole trip offered so many first-time experiences for our pupils, but they unanimously agreed that meeting Catherine and actually sitting in on a live debate was by far the highlight of their visit. I was so proud of how well the children had prepared their questions for Catherine in advance, delivered them with confidence and then enthusiastically listened to her responses.

‘Catherine was so inspirational and the children left with a real determination that the profile of politics must change amongst younger children. Both groups of boys and girls would love to see more women and younger people in Parliament.’

‘Every Year Five child experienced this unforgettable trip which was funded by Fawdon Ward Committee, and we will continue to draw on this next year whilst they are in Year Six.’