Pupils grill former education secretary

Pupils at a Newark school had the chance to grill a former education secretary today on topics such as Brexit and education.

Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan, who was education secretary from July 2014 to July 2016, visited Magnus Church of England Academy to talk about character education.

Nicky Morgan has released a book, Taught Not Caught: Educating for 21st Century Character, which explores the topic and how teaching character in schools can benefit pupils.

She spoke at an assembly at Magnus today where pupils had the chance to ask the MP questions.

Pupil Charlotte Savill, 16, asked Nicky Morgan what impact Brexit would have on the NHS and schools.

Nicky Morgan, who campaigned for a Remain vote in the EU referendum, said: "The resilience needed as an MP to go into the House of Commons and debate something you fundamentally disagree with and voting for it, in some cases, is a really hard thing to do.

"I was a passionate campaigner for Remain but I also respect democracy."

She said she would help the Government to get the best possible deal for the UK from the EU.

Another pupil asked Nicky Morgan about the best way to develop good character.

She said: "Find good people who are role models, perhaps outside school, people you meet after school or at weekends.

"Things you read and literature are really important and understanding and reading about people with good character and taking responsibility for your character are also important."

"It's not just about formal education"

Speaking about character education, Nicky Morgan said children could build their character from everything they do in life, including extra-curricular activities such as Scouts, Guides, or the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

She said: "It's not just about formal education, taking exams, reading books - if you think about everything else you pick up from your time in education, the people you meet,, both your parents and members of staff here and everybody else, and some of you may be involved in extra-curricular activities - they are really important, all of these things you do at other times in your life."

Nicky Morgan told pupils that she had suffered setbacks in her life, such as when she failed to win election as an MP in 2005, and it would have been easy for her to go back to her career as a lawyer.

"The question is how you deal with life's disappointments as well as life's successes," she said.

"Sometimes when you are feeling fed up with the world it's worth stopping and thinking about why I'm feeling this way.

"There's no one way of doing this but it's really good to see the focus you have got on it at Magnus and I think it will stand you in good stead and set you apart from the rest."

Headteacher Mrs Anna Martin invited Nicky Morgan to the school after seeing her speak at a conference.

Mrs Martin said: "I had the privilege of hearing Nicky speak in the summer about character education and the common theme in schools she's been to is the focus on developing good character."