King’s Oak Academy celebrates UK Parliament Week with visit from MP
King’s Oak Academy pupils marked the start of UK Parliament Week 2024 with a special visit from their new local MP, Damien Egan, representing Bristol Northeast.
The event was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to engage with democracy and learn more about the parliamentary process.
Mr Egan began his visit with a tour of the school, where he remarked on how impressed he was with the school’s operations and the enthusiasm of its pupils, stating, “I’m so impressed with the running of this school and how engaged the children are with their learning.”
The MP – who went to school at Hanham Woods Academy, a sister school to King’s Oak in the Cabot Learning Federation – then joined Year 1 and Year 4 pupils for a special assembly.
Pupils were fascinated to learn about his journey to becoming an MP, including his persistence through earlier unsuccessful campaigns and his day-to-day work, such as taking the train to London frequently and prioritising conversations with people in his constituency.
As part of UK Parliament Week, another assembly introduced pupils to the history of voting rights.
They were astonished to learn about the limitations of voting 100 years ago when only wealthy boys could vote. Pupils were inspired by the efforts of the Suffragists and Suffragettes in fighting for broader voting rights.
Throughout the week, they had the opportunity to draft their own manifestos, highlighting their strengths and aspirations.
This initiative culminated in mock elections, with candidates from each class presenting their manifestos.
Pupils eagerly stood up to represent their classmates, with qualities such as kindness, helpfulness, and academic skills frequently highlighted.
The winning candidates were:
- Year 1: Tilly and Ferne
- Year 2: Reggie and Mia
- Year 3: Darcie, Teddy, Jorge, and Evie
- Year 4: Prince, Naomi, Riley, and Hadayah
Lower school teacher Josie Palmer-Turk said: “We had more candidates than ever before, and I am so proud of everyone who stood and had a go.
“The week was an enriching experience, sparking excitement about democracy and empowering pupils to make their voices heard.
“King’s Oak Academy looks forward to further events celebrating active citizenship in the future.”
