A lot of my job involves situations I find intimidating. Speaking in the Commons, trying to learn intricate policies before speaking to Ministers, radio and TV interviews. But I’ve found the most terrifying thing of all: school assemblies!
I’ve attended two in the past few weeks. The first was at Langwith Primary, where dozens of children asked me questions relentlessly. I have to be honest; I don’t think Jeremy Paxman comes close to the questioning of nine-year-olds!
The other assembly was at Bolsover School, where I spent the morning with the brilliant Mr Topley. He arranged for me to speak to the Year 9 students about my life, and about what I thought they’d find useful.
I spoke about when I was in year 9. How I’d grown up with an abusive stepfather and had finally become free of him, but that secret had been replaced with another, that I was gay. I was terrified anyone would find out, because I thought I’d lose all my friends and be even more lonely than before.
I said that we’re always programmed to focus on what we’re good at, be it academic achievement, being good at drama or music or sport, but that the things we convince ourselves we’re not so proud of can be really positive influences in our life as well.
I told them about my campaigning work in Westminster to get children recognised as victims of domestic abuse, which is now in law, and how I live as an openly gay man nowadays. The things we feel ashamed of, even when there is absolutely no need, can influence us positively as well.
I’ve no idea if it resonated with the students, I was probably boring them senseless, but I have to say I’m so proud of Bolsover School. I’m a governor there, so I am biased, but the amazing behaviour I saw, the caring attitude from pupils, and the burning passion from the teachers, really hit home. I even met one of the Head Prefects, Harrison, who was mature beyond his years.
Education is so important to our community, a key building block to Bolsover fulfilling its potential. The Government recently announced that Derbyshire is going to be an Education Improvement Area, because we’re currently behind other parts of the country and we can’t afford for that to continue. Bolsover is on the up, and we need our schools, skills and ambitions to match our rise.
I’m hoping the new Education Improvement Area will finally give us the sixth form we need in Bolsover. It’s ridiculous how far our children have to travel to get post-16 education (not to mention the costs), and I’m determined to change it.
I spent some time recently in both Bolsover Infants and Palterton Primary school, and I was really blown away by the passion and energy the two headteacher’s are pouring into their schools. Bolsover’s next generation are very lucky to be growing up in such a great place, with schools that really care about their future. I cannot thank the pupils, teachers and governors of these schools enough for all they are doing for our future.
