CHILDREN from a Manor Park school got an insider’s view of life as a Parliamentarian during a visit by East Ham MP Stephen Timms.

Ten pupils from St Winefride’s, representing Years One to Six gave Mr Timms a grilling during a Q&A session at their school in Church Road ahead of a trip to the Houses of Parliament.

The East Ham MP said: “I was impressed by the children’s questions.

“They are already gaining an experience of politics by serving on their school council.

“I am very pleased that there are so many schools like St Winefride’s that encourage children, who will be the voters and politicians of the future, to be more politically and socially aware.”

During the probing Q&A, Mr Timms was asked whether he had met Barack Obama (yes) and what he was doing for the area.

The East Ham MP also learned about the school’s recycling scheme and the children’s participation in Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales’ Every Child a Musician project.

This gives Year Five pupils in the borough the chance to learn an instrument for free.

St Winefride’s is among the first 11 schools in Newham that are participating in the scheme this year.

All 66 schools in the borough will join the project by April 2011.