I had a great day at Shirebrook Academy yesterday at their Personal Development day. Pupils had a day off their usual lessons and took part in all manner of activities.
Year 8 were having a digital detox day, and taking part in activities run by the Extreme Wheels team - climbing, drift bikes, zorbing as well as dancing, making pizza and playing card and board games.
Years 9s joined the Parliament Education Service on a virtual visit to Parliament learning about how our laws are made. I joined three groups for a very wide ranging question and answer session about current issues and what it is like being a Member of Parliament. I think the main takeaways were that no, I have never slept in the House of Commons, I've never met the Queen, and that my car is extremely boring - although we did have quite a long discussion about the impact that Russia's war against Ukraine is having on our economy and the rest of the world.
I met some really wonderful students who are an absolute credit to the school and their parents should be very proud.
Thank you to Mrs Horton, Mr Jacques, Mrs Chapman and all the students, teachers and staff in the school for being so welcoming.
