The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, compared his job to that of a headteacher during a visit to a Streatham school yesterday.

Mr Bercow, who began his political career as a St Leonard's ward councillor, said: "I have to keep order, be fair, and make sure the maximum amount of people can participate without being excluded."

He spoke to pupils at Streatham and Clapham High School and handed out awards to the winners of a Christmas card competition open to all schools in the area.

Streatham MP Keith Hill, who helped judge the competition, also attended.

• For more on schools visit our Education section