Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald and Chairman of Ways and Means, Madam Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, has joined a Q&A session on her role and responsibilities as Member of Parliament with teachers taking part in the UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme.
Primary and secondary teachers taking part in the programme engaged Nusrat in questions around balancing constituency events and MP surgeries across so many local and national issues, the challenge of misinformation and its impact on young voters participating in elections and tips on how teachers can share the procedures of Parliament with their students in an interactive way.
UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme is a free residential training course hosted by the Parliamentary Education and Engagement Service, which aims to give teachers from across the country the opportunity to experience Parliament first-hand and return to their schools and colleges to inspire and encourage young people to get involved in democracy.
More information and application forms for the June programme are available here.
Transport, accommodation and most meal costs are covered by the scheme.
As an accredited UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador, you will receive:
- a certificate of your accreditation
- a digital badge for your school’s website
- access to the Teacher Ambassador online community
- unique opportunities to engage with UK Parliament
Nusrat Ghani said: “Sussex Weald schools are supported by fantastic teachers and volunteers, and I see their work in the students’ stellar achievements when they visit me in Westminster and when I visit schools in the constituency. It was great to meet a Hailsham resident as well as teachers from all over the country and shed a light on my role as Member of Parliament and Chairman of Ways and Means, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Teacher Ambassador Programme is a great opportunity to learn about the workings of Westminster and pass them onto classrooms across the UK to encourage our young residents to get involved in shaping the world around them. I would like to encourage teachers in Sussex Weald and across the country to consider applying for the scheme when it is next taking place in June.”
The 60 Teacher Ambassadors attending the January programme will now go on to cascade what they’ve learned to more than 60,000 students and teacher colleagues. Below is some of their feedback on the session with Nusrat, on her role as MP for Sussex Weald and Madam Deputy Speaker.
“I thought Nusrat Ghani’s session was one of the highlights of the day. Nusrat spoke with such honesty and passion, that even though it was in informative event, I was moved by her answers. I thought she pitched the responses perfectly to our audience of teachers and really did provide an eye opening view of life in parliament, the work of an MP and deputy speaker. I was particularly impressed by her honesty regarding the difficulties people may face when considering a career in politics. Thank you Nusrat."
“Very interesting and informative, especially about the challenges of her new role as Deputy Speaker."
“Loved every minute of hearing from her. Especially the Q and A. She is a fabulous speaker.”
“Breath of fresh air on her honesty. Was great to hear that collaborative working does go on with all party’s and that she fights for women’s rights. Great inspiration for young women of today.”
“Nusrat Ghani was forthright and down to earth and I enjoyed hearing about her journey to Parliament and thought it was interesting how both she and Sir Lindsay Hoyle were considered reasonably rebellious and ended up in similar roles. This is definitely something that I will highlight to my students.”
“Yet again a wonderful speaker who really did go into detail about her job as an MP and what it is like day to day and she manages things.”
“Excellent, really helpful to get first hand experience of the scrutiny role of Parliament both from a back bench mp perspective and select committee."
