Former Prime Minister visits Wirral school (From Wirral Globe)

Former Prime Minister visits Wirral school

5:01pm Monday 27th September 2010 in News By Stephanie Cureton

FORMER prime minister Gordon Brown met with Wirral pupils and staff last weekend to discuss education and employment among young people.

He had been invited by Wirral South MP Alison McGovern as a way to support her campaign to double the number of apprenticeships avaiable to young people in the borough.

The visit to St John Plessington College was also a chance for Alison to cement her role as Mr Brown's parliamentary private secretary, among her own constituents.

The newly-elected MP said: "I was delighted to welcome Gordon to the Wirral, and to St John Plessington Catholic College – The Times Educational Supplement School of the Year.

"He talked about what it was like when he first became an MP, and then about his most difficult time in charge - during the bank failures in 2008.

"As he spoke of the failures of the bank chief executives, not realising the risks they had been taking, you could have heard a pin drop.

"It was great to have him in my home town looking so relaxed, and able to reflect on his time in office."

The Bebington-based school was chosen to play host to Mr Brown due to its current statues as TES School of the Year.

Headteacher, Mr Quinn, said: "Following my visit to Downing Street earlier this year, I was really pleased to be able to return the hospitality. All the students responded really well and got a lot from the visit. Mr Brown was very welcoming and made a point to speak to all of the students."