PARLIAMENT has opened its doors to a group of teachers to encourage them to teach the next generation of children about the establishment which runs the country.

Year 3 teacher Lucy Pash, from Marlborough St Mary’s Primary School, took part in the Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme and spent three days rubbing shoulders with Members of Parliament and even quizzed John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons, on how decisions are made beyond the shouting and chaos of question time.

The teacher has now been inspired to share her knowledge with pupils at the school through assemblies and politics projects and even has hopes to launch a debating club with the school’s radio club.

Mrs Pash, 45, of Marten, near Great Bedwyn said: “It was fascinating to speak to other teachers and hear their take on education. We were a mixed group, some were primary teachers like me and some were secondary and A-level politics teachers.

“It gave me a better understanding of how parliament works. What struck me is how much is involved and how hard-working everyone was.

“We get a certain view of parliament from the media and through watching them shouting in the House of Commons but actually a lot goes into what they are doing.

“That really struck a chord with me.

“What I would really like to do is do some debating with children on the radio club about Parliament.”

Mrs Pash was selected out of more than 170 applicants to be among 70 teachers involved in the project.

Claire Perry, MP for Devizes said:“I am delighted that Lucy Pash, a teacher from my constituency, has been selected as a UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador.

“Teachers have so many opportunities to engage young people with Parliament and democracy, and I am sure that the students in Marlborough St Mary’s will benefit from Lucy’s experience at Teachers’ Institute.”

Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: “Better engagement and dialogue with young people is of fundamental importance to our democracy, and I am sure that the UK Parliament Teacher Ambassadors attending Teachers’ Institute will find the experience both useful and enlightening.”