Peter Prinsley, MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, visits South Lee Prep School in what was ‘a valuable experience’ for pupils

Children got the chance to ask a Member of Parliament questions during a ‘memorable and inspiring’ visit.

South Lee Prep School & Nursery, in Bury St Edmunds, hosted Peter Prinsley, MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, on November 8.

The independent school said it was ‘a valuable experience’ for pupils, allowing them to connect with a community representative and gain insight into the responsibilities and rewards of public service.

His visit included joining the Year 7 and Year 8 pupils for lunch - where he engaged with the pupils on a range of topics from school life to broader local and national issues - a tour of the school and a question and answer session with students.

During the Q&A, he answered a variety of ‘insightful’ questions from pupils, who were eager to hear about his role as an MP and his perspectives on current issues.

The school said: “This session offered our pupils a unique glimpse into public service, enhancing their understanding of government and sparking discussions that tied into their ongoing studies in social studies.

“Mr Prinsley’s openness and willingness to discuss the challenges and successes in his role resonated strongly with our young learners.

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Mr Prinsley for his time, openness, and enthusiasm in sharing his experiences.”

The school added that the visit was ‘a memorable and inspiring experience for our school community’.

Head of the school, Sarah Catchpole, said: “This was a great opportunity to speak to the Labour MP about adding VAT onto independent school fees for parents.

“It was brilliant for him to see what an amazing school we are and what we offer our pupils. We also discussed the importance of our sports hall and how it is used by the community.”

She said the visit was ‘a fantastic experience’ for the Year 7 and 8 children, adding: “I was very proud of them for asking such eloquent questions.”

She said the MP would now write to the Department of Education and to the Treasury outlining the school as a case study.