Representatives from 11 secondary schools from across Bath recently attended the Bath Student Parliament’s spring term meeting, hosted by Beechen Cliff School.
Student-led, Bath Student Parliament comprises representatives from 11 secondary schools across Bath, and aims to bring pupils together from across the community to share ideas and develop a vision for action on matters of priority.
The students invited Bath MP Wera Hobhouse to join them at their latest assembly to discuss her role and work in parliament. They shared with her some challenges that their Equalities, Environment, Mental Health, Charity and Interschool committees had been tackling and sought her advice.
Wera was particularly impressed by the students’ ideas for action around the effects on teenagers of knife crime, and their proposal of a ‘mock COP28’ to address climate change. The session ended with a lively Q&A session in which Wera was impressed by the thoughtful and articulate questions put to her.
Mia Willer-Stephens, Bath Student Parliament representative, said, “The BSP is really important to us as the young people of Bath. It provides us with the opportunity to voice our concerns and share suggestions that can help make a real difference to students in the city.
“We can gain valuable skills that are transferable for our future and lasting friendships with like-minded and empowered pupils. The BSP is incredibly grateful to Wera for coming along today and sharing her experience and wisdom with us, it provided an inspiring opportunity for us to continue our journeys of political awareness.”
Delighted to learn about how much the students have gained from their involvement in the the programme, Wera Hobhouse, said, “It was wonderful to meet the Bath Student Parliament; it is vital for young people to develop a voice on global and local issues. I was so impressed by the BSP students’ commitment to collaboratively finding solutions on how to better their communities, which will give them a wider understanding of how to shape change in the world around them.
“It is so inspiring to see students engage in politics in such a positive way – we all have a lot to gain from sharing ideas with one another.”