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A prime encounter

Katherine Vine
11/ 7/2008

WHEN 15-year-old Matthew Heeks went to do work experience at his local MP’s office, the last thing he expected was to be working alongside the Prime Minister!

But that’s exactly what happened when Gordon Brown temporarily swapped Number 10 for Sale.

Matthew, a Year 10 pupil at Sale Grammar School, was doing a week’s placement as an administrative assistant in the constituency office of Paul Goggins, MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East.

The final day of his placement, Friday, June 27, coincided with Gordon Brown’s visit to Manchester to congratulate Sale police force on their work.

And as part of his trip he visited the office in Wythenshawe’s Civic Centre, where Matthew was working.

Mr Goggins introduced Matthew to the Prime Minister, who quizzed him about his work experience and how he was finding his placement.

Matthew said it was an "unexpected pleasure" to meet his country’s leader.

He said: "I was both nervous and excited during my conversation with him, but he turned out to be a very friendly person and definitely an inspiring figure. This has been an opportunity that I will never forget."

And Matthew obviously made a good impression on Mr Brown, who told the Metro News: "I was delighted to meet Matthew during my visit to the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Sale Moor.

"It is fantastic to see young people like Matthew engaging in politics and taking an interest their local community.

"I am sure he gained a great deal from his work experience and I wish him well with his future studies and career, whether in politics or elsewhere."

David Wilson, headteacher at Sale Grammar, added: "All our Year 10 students gain considerable benefits from work experience, and they are expected to cope with the unexpected, just like anyone else in the workplace.

"Matthew proved to be an excellent ambassador for the school in somewhat unusual circumstances."