Used as she is to tough talking in the House of Commons, MP Anne Main found herself tackling some pretty searching questions when she visited a St Albans school recently.

The St Albans MP was invited to the Samuel Ryder Academy to learn about the work students at both primary and secondary level are doing around the Send My Friend to School campaign.

In 2000 world leaders promised that by 2015 every child would be in school receiving a good quality primary education. Send My Friend to School is a campaign that raises awareness for the 58 million children that are still missing out.

Over the past few months, students at the Samuel Ryder Academy have been learning about and actively participating in the campaign.

After observing a Year 3 primary French lesson, the MP met students who had been taking part in the Send My Friend to School campaign.

That was followed by a question and answer session with members of the school cabinet and school parliament.

Anne said: “I met with both the Send My Friend to School and the youth council groups who gave me a good grilling and asked some very insightful questions.

“I was hugely impressed with the progress being made at Samuel Ryder under the academy status. There has been amazing progress which is reflected in the exam results, and this is testament to the work of everyone involved at the school.”

Headteacher Matt Gauthier commented: “It was a fantastic opportunity for students to ask questions of a serving MP, on issues important to them, as well as the realities of being in politics. The issues of globalisation, sustainable development and education for every child were high up on the agenda but they were also interested in the day-to-day experiences and interactions in the Houses of Parliament.”