Shropshire teacher chosen to help shape future of teaching politics in the UK

Jessica Evans, Director of Activities and Teacher of History and Politics at Ellesmere College, spent three days in Westminster last week learning more about Parliament in order to help connect her students with the subject through real life experience.

She was chosen to become a UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador after applying last year and has already watched debates take place in the House of Commons and House of Lords and quizzed Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, and his counterpart in the Lords, Lord McFall of Alcluith.

Jess said: “I am thrilled to have been chosen to be a teacher ambassador for the UK Parliament.

“It was an honour to represent Ellesmere College in London and learn more about the role of MPs and Lords, doorkeepers and select committees, to name a few, that I can take back to my students in the classroom.

“This experience will help support our young people at Ellesmere College in developing their understanding of Parliament and democracy, connecting them through active learning.

“Being able to share my lived experience and pictures will bring this subject to life for them, empowering them to get involved by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to take part in their democracy. 

“I’ve known of the scheme for a while but never applied before, it has been a wonderful experience for me and already both myself and my students have got a lot out of it.”

As part of the programme Jess met with north Shropshire MP Helen Morgan as well as with Toby Baillon - a former Ellesmere College pupil who was recently appointed as Helen Morgan’s Parliamentary assistant.

Toby went on to study Politics and International Relations at Durham University after finishing his time at Ellesmere.

“Toby spoke about his time at Ellesmere as inspiring his interest in politics and International Relations,” Jess added.“He also spoke about how speech writing is a key element of his role and how well what he had learnt from his English teachers at Ellesmere had equipped him for this. It was fantastic to hear this!”

Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the three-day ambassadorship programme ‘offers a great opportunity for politicians and teachers to share experiences’.

He said: “In my view, you are never too young to get involved in democracy and to make things happen - so giving teachers an insight into our world is a great way to pass that message back to the classroom.

“We also appreciate having the chance to talk to teachers about their experiences, to thank them for their hard work - and to see how we can work together to get children interested in politics." 

Lord McFall, the Lord Speaker, added: “The Teacher Ambassador Programme is exceptionally well-regarded by the participants each year, and I welcome the opportunity to explore the work of the House of Lords with such a dedicated audience.

”As a former teacher and one who has a continuing engagement with young people, I know how keen they are to understand how politics works in practice. This successful initiative is a great opportunity to encourage that interest.”

Around 60 headteachers, teachers, trainee teachers and education professionals from across the UK took part in the programme, which ran from Monday to Wednesday last week.

Fran Jeens, UK Parliament’s Head of Education and Engagement, said: “Hundreds of teachers from across the country have been trained through the Teacher Ambassador programme, and have gone on to teach thousands more students and colleagues about the UK Parliament.

“I congratulate this year’s successful applicants and thank them for their support in inspiring and engaging young people with the work of the House of Commons and House of Lords.”