Recently, Dr Kieran Mullan, MP for Bexhill & Battle, visited Chantry Community Primary School, where he met with Year 4 pupils for a Q&A session, and was taken on a tour of the school by Headteacher Mrs Reed.
Following a warm welcome from staff, Kieran led an engaging Q&A session, giving pupils the opportunity to ask their Member of Parliament about his role and experiences as an elected representative. The children asked thoughtful and inquisitive questions about the election process, Kieran’s journey to becoming an MP, and what his day-to-day work involves. One pupil asked whether he had any advice for someone aspiring to become an MP, reflecting the school’s commitment to developing pupils’ understanding of democracy and leadership from a young age. Kieran concluded the session by encouraging the pupils to believe in themselves and their potential, emphasising that politics and leadership are open to everyone.
After the discussion, Kieran was given a guided tour of the school by Mrs Reed. The tour showcased the school’s welcoming atmosphere and highlighted the wide range of learning experiences offered across the year groups. Kieran observed pupils actively engaged in their lessons, confidently explaining their learning and proudly sharing their work. He visited a number of classrooms, seeing first-hand the school’s positive learning culture and the strong relationships between pupils and staff. The tour also included shared spaces such as the library, which support collaboration and independent learning, as well as areas dedicated to SEND provision.
Reflecting on his visit, Kieran said, “It was a pleasure to meet the pupils at Chantry Community Primary School and hear their questions. The discussions around representation, democracy and social responsibility were thoughtful and engaging, clearly demonstrating the pupils’ developing understanding of the world beyond the classroom. I also greatly enjoyed the opportunity to tour the school and learn more about the high-quality teaching and facilities.”
Mrs Reed said, “We really enjoyed our visit from Kieran, and it was a valuable opportunity to showcase our school and strengthen our links with the wider community. The session in class was a fantastic chance for our children to learn more about the role of an MP and the political process. They asked thoughtful, probing questions and were genuinely inspired by what they heard – we may even have a couple of budding MPs in the making! We appreciate Kieran’s interest in our aspirations for the school and his recognition of the challenges that schools currently face. We would like to thank him for his continued support and for taking the time to visit.”
The visit reinforced the value of giving young people meaningful opportunities to explore leadership, democracy and public service.
