FURNESS MP John Woodcock is swapping the benches of parliament for the classroom.

He has embarked on a City and Guilds qualification to become a Level three teaching assistant.

In March, Mr Woodcock spent four hours in his home constituency learning the ropes at Victoria Junior School in Barrow and another four in the classroom at Oasis Academy Johanna in Lambeth.

Now his new-found skills will be showcased in a breakthrough project aimed at improving numeracy and literacy skills for 50 schoolchildren.

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He launched the three-week long Furness Summer Camp at Furness College.

Programmes to improve physical activity and healthy eating are also built into the programme.

“Only by breaking the cycle of under-achievement and low aspiration can we tackle child poverty in the long term,” he said.