SCHOOL is truly the training ground for the politicians of the future as the youngsters pictured above found out.
A talk by Southampton Itchen MP, John Denham, prepared year eight pupils at Bitterne Park School in Dimond Road for the task ahead.
In class groups they were divided into working parties focusing on issues like fox hunting, transport, education and vandalism.
They had to give a presentation to classmates and the winning group went on to represent the class in a head to head debate with nine others to choose a Prime Minister.
Nathan Powell, year eight co-ordinator, said: "The idea was to get them thinking and let them know they have an opinion and thinking about issues outside the school walls. We want them to look at the bigger picture that they will face when they leave school."
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