Leeds West MP John Battle visited Raynville Primary School in Bramley and Sacred Heart Primary School in Kirkstall on Friday 23rd April as part of the worldwide Back to School campaign.

At Sacred Heart he was the returning officer for school’s first School Council elections. After reading out the results of the ballot for the school's first-ever school council, he warmly congratulated the four winners.

Two children from Year 5 and two from Year 6 will now be giving their opinions regularly to head teacher Kevin O'Sullivan. There were no less than twenty-five candidates, and voting was by secret ballot, with all the children in the two year groups participating. There were no spoiled papers either!

"We have tried to give the children the experience of a real election process," said Mr O'Sullivan. "I am delighted by the number who stood for office and who have a desire to be involved in the running of the school. Above all, it was fun."

The Battle family has been associated with Sacred Heart for many years: the MP's two daughters once attended, and his wife Mary was a governor until recently.

Addressing an assembly of the whole school, Mr Battle confessed that he got into trouble when he was seven - for talking too much. "I was told to think about why God had given people two ears and only one mouth. I think the lesson has stayed with me.

"If you didn't get elected, don't be too discouraged. Try again. I was told I stood no chance in 1983 when I first stood for parliament because I had a beard and glasses and would not look good on television and sure enough, I was beaten. I was told the same thing four years later in 1987, but I did get in that time."

John Battle, is a member of the International Development Select Committee. He shared his concerns about aid for poor countries with the children, and was asked questions about child labour used to produce trainers and footballs, the lack of schools and books in Africa and South America and the education of girls.

©John Battle MP 28th April 2004