Students from Oasis Academy Shirley Park are working with Catering Services in Parliament as part of their school work experience.

Five students are spending two weeks behind the scenes in the House of Commons, after parent Nick Munting, who works as a sous chef, arranged for a student at the school to complete a work placement in the Westminster kitchen last year.

Mr Munting said: "I was immediately keen to help and from the letter, Mark Hill the executive Chef and I arranged for a student from Oasis to spend time with us last year. This year we decided to increase that number to five."

The students had to undergo an interview process before they were given a place in the kitchens.

Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell, visited the students last week and is keen to expand the work experience programme next year to include placements in front of house roles.

He said: "The experiences the students gain from their work experience over the two weeks will help them to better understand what working in the real world is like.

"I will do everything I can to work with Oasis to support a programme like this. I will be speaking to the school to see how we can open up opportunities like this to an even wider audience."

Glen Denham, Principal of Oasis Academy Shirley Park said: "We are thrilled the House of Commons Catering team has received our students so willingly.

"I have received reports of fantastic teamwork from all of the students involved and I know they were all very excited that our local MP paid them a visit."