CHILDREN from Gomersal Primary School joined Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin in Parliament to talk about their school's Arts Council.

Six representatives from the school’s child-led project visited Westminster to speak at a cross-party meeting on art, craft and design.

They were able to explain to the group how their council was formed and how it gives fellow pupils a voice.

Mrs Brabin said: “I was seriously proud to introduce Gomersal Primary’s Art Council in Parliament.

“Working with schools is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job and it’s double the pleasure when it involves a school on my doorstep.

“Matilda, William, Eva, Samuel, Grace and Harriet gave such passionate speeches and genuinely moved the MPs present with their heartfelt, articulate and powerful words.

“Their love for the arts and the hard work and dedication of the school is to be lauded and it’s something we can all learn from when we look at formulating the classrooms of the future.

“The creative subjects play such a significant role in education and it’s critical that they are given the funding, support and attention they deserve.”

Addressing the All Party Parliamentary Group's meeting, William Nicholson explained why he joined the council, saying: “I applied to be part of the Arts Council because I wanted to discuss my ideas and share my feelings.

“In the Arts Council we have already done a lot considering we are only a year old, but we still have plans - big plans!"

Matilda Finn told the meeting why asking the other children’s opinions on what should be taught is so important.

She said: “This means that every child in our school has a voice and that voice is heard. Our children are encouraged to use their creativity and imagination to help to improve our creative curriculum.

“It allows children to talk about the things they love.”

Mandy Barrett, a specialist art teacher at the school who attended along with headteacher Melanie Cox, said: “We met Tracy Brabin in the central lobby in Parliament. She spent time reassuring our children and gave advice about speaking in debates. She listened carefully to the children and was able to discuss why she believes art is important in education due to her own experiences at school."

She added: “Some people in the room were moved to tears while listening to our children speak. There can’t be many nine and ten-year-olds that can say they moved politicians to tears in Parliament.”