LORELY'S LIFE

Written by Lorely Burt MP and published in Solihull Observer on Thu 29th Jun 2006

One of the best jobs an MP gets to do, in my opinion, is visiting schools. Children never fail to inspire or surprise me with their attitude to life and original viewpoints.

So I was looking forward to visiting Greswold School last Friday, but I certainly had no idea of what was in store.

It will teach me to read my brief so painstakingly prepared by my PA, Gaynor, properly in future. For what was waiting patiently for my arrival was a group of the most talented 9-11 year olds I have ever met.

The first bit went fine: talking about the job of an MP is quite easy: the trick is to tailor it to the audience. But the second bit, the question and answer session, was scary.

Did I think the government had too much power over people's lives? Er, well, yes I did. Wouldn't it be a good idea to have recycling centres in all schools? Well yes it would, now they came to mention it. Why did infants have free fruit but not juniors? Cost I guess, but was that a good enough answer?

This amazing group of youngsters were in fact very special gifted and talented children who get together from many of the primary schools in the Borough to be stretched and to meet children of similar abilities.

Central funding for gifted and talented children in the borough ceased a number of years ago, but many schools now buy in to the GTXxtra project, which is run by an amazing ex Head Teacher called Mr Sharrocks.

We rightly recognise and give special help to children with learning difficulties, but we should also encourage those gifted children in our midst with an occasional get together to stretch and challenge them too. I feel sure that many other schools in the borough will soon recognise the benefits of this wonderful opportunity.

I'm off now to lie in a darkened room to get over the mental challenge of it all. Meanwhile they're gleefully sharpening their pencils and honing their questions for their next victim.