FURNESS Academy's mock parliament welcomed some special VIP guests in preparation of UK Parliament Week.

Over the past few weeks, students at Furness Academy have been learning all about the democratic process and how a bill becomes a law.

In preparation for UK Parliament Week which takes place in November, the students have been working on their own bill proposals.

Each form group had to draft a bill for our mock parliament. Issues ranged from period poverty, to solar panels, mental health, seatbelt usage and careers support.

Each of the over 40 bills were presented to the Furness Academy Student Voice, the council made up of school representatives, led by the head boy and head girl.

The students were joined by Barrow MP Simon Fell who worked with each team to help them develop their arguments and expand their proposal, ready for their presentation.

Mr Fell said: “It was great coming in and talking to some of the students at Furness Academy, part of Furness Education Trust, supporting the work they are doing for UK Parliament Week.

"The students have put together frankly amazing draft laws and to see those students wrestling with ideas, and working out the best way to present their arguments in a compelling way was wonderful.”

Students were also joined by Annabel Tiffin from the BBC who filmed the session for North West Tonight and joined the students during their research session.

After impressive presentations from the ten teams who got to the 'second reading' of their bill proposal, the final three were chosen by the students.

The final three groups, one each from year eight, nine and ten, will move on to present these bills during a mock parliament session, to be filmed at Barrow Town Hall.

These final three bills cover period poverty, youth volunteer opportunities and finally, mental health support for young people.

All students at Furness Academy and Mr Fell will vote for the bill they would like to support and the winning team will be announced during UK Parliament week.