On Monday, 02 February, a group of Springfield pupils from Years 9 to 11 attended an online Q&A session with a Member of the House of Lords. This is a free-of-charge provision offered by Parliament's Education Centre, to allow young people from all backgrounds to understand how our laws are made and engage with those involved in public life. We were allocated Baroness Garden of Frognal, https://members.parliament.uk/member/3842/contact, a Liberal Democrat peer whose policy interests include defence, education, employment and training, and international affairs. 

 

The pupils present asked a wide range of questions, including why the Baroness has chosen to join the Liberal Democrats, how people become members of the House of Lords, what a typical day is like, whether it is fair that Members of the House of Lords are not elected and her proudest achievement. Lady Garden answered questions fully and gave her views on various issues, including why she has chosen to support the assisted dying bill and why she feels the national curriculum needs reforming. She finished by encouraging the young people from Springfield to find their passion, whatever it might be, and follow it. 

 

We are very grateful to Baroness Garden of Frognal and to the Parliament education team for this opportunity. It's certainly not every day that you have a meeting with a Baroness before break time!