The Hastings and Rye MP, Amber Rudd, visited Ark William Parker and Ark 6th Form to speak with Year 10 and sixth form students about her role as MP as well as her government role as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

The session began with Amber detailing her weekly goings-on in the House of Commons and within her Department. She explained that she attends Cabinet each week along with her thirty-one other colleagues, including the Prime Minister. Cabinet is where Ministers get an opportunity to present and discuss various ideas relating to each government department.

The students were quizzing the MP for over an hour, and as time went on, more and more of them got involved to talk about issues that they hold in high regard.

Collette Iglinski, PSHRE Coordinator said, “As part of their GCSE Citizenship Ark William Parker students have undertaken a project to review how poverty impacts on education; part of this involves interviewing individuals with influence to explore their understanding of the issue. Student’s interviewed Amber Rudd MP in order to develop their understanding of how the government is trying to raise standards for students in the UK and in the wider global community.”

Amber commented, “I am thankful to Ark William Parker for inviting me to speak with such an engaging group of young adults, on a range of different issues. It is always nice for me to engage with all of my constituents. The group of students were clearly strong individuals whom are all politically engaged, with some of them wanting to pursue their own political careers. I wish all of the students in Hastings and Rye, all the best and good luck with upcoming exams!”