Last week our local MP Tim Farron spoke to the school. With coffee cup in hand (he says when it goes cool he knows it’s time to stop talking) he explained his job as an MP and how he first got into politics. His journey began when he watched the classic film, Cathy Come Home, and at the age of 16 joined Shelter, the homelessness charity for £1.50. He tackled questions from the students ranging from the local issue of pollution in Lake Windermere to discussing how he balances local and international priorities.

Tim spoke to pupils in Years 7-13 about democracy, and the role of local government when it comes to serving the local environment and community. Democracy is a concept our children are very familiar with, as it is one of our Round Square IDEALS, upon which the ethos of the school is built. Tim expressed that while democracy is undoubtedly the best option, based on the concept that every human is equal and no one person is above another, the democracy is also run by human, and humans are flawed.

‘Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…’ – Winston Churchill

It was inspiring to hear Tim talk about his passion for local government, which he believes to be the purest application of democracy, and his conviction that if you have big ideas you must practice them within the community in which you have been placed. Tim believes that politics is service, and that politics can and should have the power to protect the environment, build international relationships and make society a safer place for us all now, as well as our future world and communities.

Afterwards, Mr Thompson and Mrs Holmes spoke to Tim about our social outreach in the community and he suggested we might also get involved with the local allotment which grows fresh produce for the Windermere Food Bank.

We would like to thank Tim for spending time with us and wish him luck with his Outdoor Bill which seeks to make the outdoors, and all the benefits to which our pupils can testify, more accessible to all children.

Windermere School is an Independent Boarding and Day School for ages 3-18, across Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form. The school offers holiday courses and a summer school programme, as well as short term immersion courses for international pupils, as well as an award winning IB programme. Join the adventure today >