Order, order! Bercow visits Berko

The Speaker of the House of Commons addressed a different audience on Friday as he was invited to talk to Berkhamsted pupils.

The Rt Hon John Bercow MP visited Ashlyns School as the facility hosted the latest in its series of prestigious and high-profile guest speakers.

Lian Chan, head boy, Ashlyns headteacher James Shapland, John Bercow and Ellie Dibben, head girl, at Ashlyns School, Berkhamsted

placeholder image — Lian Chan, head boy, Ashlyns headteacher James Shapland, John Bercow and Ellie Dibben, head girl, at Ashlyns School, Berkhamsted

Mr Bercow gave an entertaining and informative guide to the work and role of the House of Commons during his 90-minute visit, which included Sixth Form students at Ashlyns as well as students invited from other nearby schools.

The talk was followed by a question and answer session on various aspects of the parliamentary process and life at Westminster.

From left, Lian Chan, head boy, James Shapland head teacher, John Bercow and Ellie Dibben, head girl, at Ashlyns School, Berkhamsted, on Friday. PNL-141219-101332009

A school spokesman revealed that Mr Bercow said he was very impressed by the level of questioning from Ashlyns students, and went on to wish all at Ashlyns – students and staff – a very happy and restful Christmas.

The visit by Mr Bercow is the latest in a series of speakers invited by Paul Harland of the Ashlyns politics department, designed to encourage students to engage more with the political and parliamentary process.

Other recent guests have included MP Douglas Carswell, Baroness Tyler of Enfield, and Matthew Barzun, the US Ambassador to the UK.