By Sarah Dale
13 February 2026
A Sunderland senior leader, who is a self-confessed “politics geek”, couldn’t wait to share her “amazing” experience in the Houses of Parliament with her Year 6 class.
Joanne Jobling, head of school at St Patrick’s Catholic Pr
imary School in Ryhope, spent an “incredible” three-day trip with other headteachers and school leaders from across the country on the UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme earlier this month [February].
The programme offers educators a unique opportunity to engage with the daily workings of Parliament, deepen their understanding of the UK Parliament and learn how to effectively teach their students about democracy and civic engagement. It includes a three-day residential training course held at the Houses of Parliament where participants can engage with key parliamentary figures and gain insights into the legislative process.
Those taking part in the programme receive training on how to deliver engaging lessons about the UK Parliament, including workshops and Q&A sessions with MPs and other officials. It also provides networking opportunities for teachers to connect with peers from across the UK. Accreditation for graduates of the fully funded programme includes bronze, silver and gold.
“It was one of the best things I’ve ever done,” said Mrs Jobling, who is also SENDCO, safeguarding lead and a Year 6 teacher at St Patrick’s, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust.
“I have always been interested in politics; my Dad got me into it and I studied an A level in politics. Every UK Parliament Week in November, we hold a special Politics Week in school and last year our local MP Lewis Atkinson visited us to talk to the children.”
The ambassador programme trip included meeting Baroness Carmen Smith, the youngest member ever of the House of Lords, and Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House of Commons who gave them a tour of his apartment and answered questions.
“I was lucky enough to be able to ask a question,” she says.
“I asked him what his most memorable moments of Parliament have been so far. He said his first day as speaker, the time when there were three prime ministers in a week, and meeting Barack Obama, President Zelenskyy and Elton John, who played the piano! I even got to meet Sir Lindsay’s cat, who I found out has his own Instagram page.
“One of the most fascinating people I met was Sarah Binstead-Chapman, doorkeeper at the House of Commons. She was the first ever woman to lead the speaker’s procession. Her uniform badge is part of the Crown Jewels and dates back to 1885. She was so lovely and I am really excited to tell the children about her job.”
Mrs Jobling also had a tour of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
“The tours were fab, really interesting, even though I’ve been before when I was at college,” she says.
“We even got to sit in the gallery at the House of Commons and watch part of the debate with David Lammy [deputy prime minister and justice secretary]. It was such a joyous experience. We spoke to the petitions MP to find out more about how they work. It was amazing to walk around and see parts of history such as marks on the walls from the spurs of soldiers’ boots at the entrance of the House of Commons, and the statue in Parliament which the Suffragettes chained themselves to. It left a mark, which they have left unrepaired, as a mark of respect.
“Everyone on the programme was a politics geek like me and I got to talk to people from all over the UK. There were only two us from the north-east – me and a teacher from Teesside.”
Following the trip, every participant was given lots of resources to use back in school and as part of the gold accreditation, she is required to deliver training sessions to 10 teachers from at least two schools in the area, so she will start with St Patrick’s and sister school, St Cuthbert’s.
St Patrick’s already has a school council, but inspired by the course, Mrs Jobling now wants to introduce a school parliament to the primary.
“This was a dream come true for a politics geek like me,” she adds.
“I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the programme. The impact it has had on me and that it will have on our school is significant.”
For more information about St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, visit www.stpatricksryhope.co.uk
For more information about BCCET, visit www.bccet.org.uk
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