The shadow secretary for education met pupils at a college, school and theatre group during a visit to his old constituency in Southgate yesterday.

Stephen Twigg, the former MP for Enfield Southgate, dropped in to the Jewish Community Secondary School (JCoSS) in New Barnet before travelling to Chickenshed theatre school, in Southgate.

The Labour politician later held a meeting with the headteacher of Barnet and Southgate Colllege on the day trip to his old constituency.

On his visit to JCoSS, the MP for Liverpool West Derby chatted to some of the school’s young parliamentarians about his career and life in politics.

At Chickenshed, in Chase Side, the former Southgate Secondary School pupil watched a performance by the theatre school’s foundation degree students.

Susan Jamson, of Chickenshed, explained how Mr Twigg has been a long-time supporter of the inclusive theatre group since the 1970s.

She said: “We adore him. He’s absolutely the nicest man and he’s always so interested and thoughtful about our projects.

“He was visiting in more of a personal capacity but he was asking all about our projects for children. He chatted to all the students and was open and interested in what they were doing.”