Teacher's learning curve at Parliament

Antony Armstrong has been selected to go to the Teachers' Institute at the Houses of Parliament

AN OLDHAM teacher swapped the classroom for the corridors of power this week.

Antony Armstrong, who works at St Thomas' C of E Primary, was selected for Parliament's tenth annual Teachers' Institute.

The five-day course immerses participants in the work and history of Parliament and involves them meeting leading figures including Cabinet ministers.

The aim is that it will improve their pupils' engagement with Parliament when they go back to their jobs.

In its ten years the institute has trained more than 500 teachers.

Mr Armstrong was selected from more than 100 applicants.

During his time in London, he will meet Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, participate in question and answer sessions and hear from parliamentarians of all parties in the Commons and Lords.

John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: "I am proud that this excellent initiative, now in its tenth year, continues to provide such an invaluable service. Better engagement and dialogue with young people is of fundamental importance to our democracy, and I am sure that the teachers attending will find the experience both useful and enlightening."

Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West and Royton, said: "I am delighted that Antony Armstrong, a teacher from my constituency, is attending Parliament's Teachers' Institute.

"Teachers have so many opportunities to engage young people with their Parliament, and I am sure that the students in St Thomas' C of E Primary will benefit."