Youngsters at Harbertonford Primary enjoyed a virtual tour of the House of Commons, held their own elections and met up with their local MP during UK Parliament Week.

The project was inspired by visit from UK Parliament’s senior education officer, Tomas Williams, who ignited the youngster’s curiosity about democracy and government, said headteacher Anne Burns.

Teaching assistant, Sharon Carrino, who spent 10 years working at Westminster, recreated the House of Commons in the school hall.

With a speaker, who kept excellent order throughout proceedings, and clerks in place, prospective candidates for the Pupil Parliament delivered their addresses from the dispatch boxes.

Division was called and the House used ballot papers to register their votes.

While the tellers counted the votes, the children watched a special message from Anthony Mangnall MP before being taking on a guided ‘tour’ of Westminster by Mrs Carrino, who was able to share some fascinating facts that are not common knowledge, said Ms Burns.

She added: “At the end of the morning the elected officials were confirmed, and all the children said that this was the way they wanted to run the elections every year.

“The following week Mr Mangnall was able to visit in person.

“He shared what his job entailed, answered a range of questions from the children and asked our successful Pupil Parliament candidates about their manifestos, offering advice and pointers about how they could help achieve them.”

Year 6 pupil, Gilbert, said: “It was a real privilege to meet someone who works for us in Parliament and bombard him with questions.

“It was a really good way to see democracy at work.”