This month I was thrilled to meet with a 6th year Higher Sociology class at Liberton High School.

The pupils are currently in the run up to their final exams. We discussed two social issues that they were required to write essays on: social mobility, and the educational attainments gap between working and middle class children. The students are themselves keen to get good qualifications and improve their life chances, but some have a lack of confidence in getting to university and being socially mobile. The topics discussed were therefore not just intellectually interesting but also of real personal importance to the class, and me when I was growing up in Wester Hailes.

We also talked about female representation in Parliament, and my favourite subject of all: Hearts Football Club.

I hope the class enjoyed this visit as much as I did. 6th year can be a difficult and stressful time for pupils as they begin to work out what to do next in life but it is also a period which is full of opportunity and excitement.

Good luck in the exams!