Chigwell MP visits school to teach young people about politics
Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP visited Chigwell School
Chigwell School politics students have been learning how parliament works, in a special class from a local MP.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith hosted a Q&A there this morning, with students asking questions about the UK's power system.
Simon Pepper, Head of Politics at Chigwell School said that it is more students want to study politics and international affairs.
"One thing we try and do is offer programs of citizenship, that are informal, whether that is a mock election, a hustings, or a visiting speaker."
He said that young people can be taught about voting and politics through programs like this.
"We try to encourage people to develop ethical and social capital, and they don't have to be studying A-level politics to do that.
"We want students to have a rounded appreciation of the world."
Students learnt about how Parliament works at Sir Iain Duncan Smith's talk.
One student said:
"I learnt about juggling the different hats of being an MP, about being a constituency MP, dealing with local issues, and being a minister, working with a set of cabinet colleagues."
It seemed popular amongst the students that politicians were able to influence policy across the world.