TWO SCHOOLGIRLS put government ministers and politicians under the microscope this week.

Holly Griffiths and Maegan Watts, who are in Year 9 at Commonweal School, travelled to Parliament on Wednesday with pupils from nine other schools across the country.

Their mission was to persuade government officials to boost the proportion of the UK’s aid cash for education for children around the world. The 14-year-olds lead the school’s campaign group the Malala Club.

They have spent the last year speaking to groups across Swindon for the Send My Friend to School campaign, which aims to hold the UK government to previous promises to ensure that every child in the world gets a ‘quality’ education by 2030.

Holly presented her arguments before Joanna Roper, the UK Government’s special envoy for gender equality.

The teenager, who one day hopes to become prime minister, said: “This was a really good experience, I’m so glad I could be involved.”

“It was very special and exciting to meet politicians and see where they work.”

Teacher Lottie O’Brien, Commonweal’s joint head of social science said: “I’m really proud of the girls.

"At such a young age they’re just so inspirational. They’ve had to put themselves out there – public speaking and contacting MPs.”

The group met South Swindon MP Robert Buckland, presenting him with the letters signed by pupils and adults they had spoken to about their campaign.

He said: “We had an excellent discussion, led by the students. I shall be contacting my colleague Priti Patel, the Secretary of State for International Development, about the important issues raised.

"Between 2011 and 2015 the UK supported over 11m children to access education. The Government is committed to giving another 11m children in developing countries a decent education by 2020.”