POLITICALLY-minded pupils turned their lesson into an episode of Question Time by grilling their MP on her views.

Year 5 pupils at Gurney Pease Academy played host to Darlington’s Labour MP Jenny Chapman questioning her on her career and party politics.

The youngsters quizzed her about the future of Darlington Memorial Hospital’s accident and emergency department, Crown Street Library’s closure, why Ms Chapman chose Labour and if she enjoyed her job.

They also asked the Darlington MP whether it was fair to make SATs harder putting more pressure on children and challenged her on how Labour would find the money to finance university fees if they were abolished for students.

Ms Chapman said: “The children were incredibly well informed both locally and nationally and it is heartening to see young people take an active interest in politics and local affairs.”

Ms Chapman was visiting the Nestfield Street school for the third time after previously discussing traffic safety issues and proposed funding cuts at the site.

The children heard how the MP gone to school in Darlington with their head teacher, Alison Sinclair.

Mrs Sinclair added: “Jenny’s interest in our school, education and the needs of young people is greatly appreciated and welcomed and we were thrilled that she agreed to visit us and take so many searching questions from our Year 5s.”