DEPUTY Labour leader Harriet Harman faced tough questions when she visited Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School.

The MP was criticised in 1996 for sending her own son to a grammar, despite her party's opposition to selective schools.

She admitted after her visit on Thursday: "It was harder than Question Time."

The session – attended by more than 150 pupils and parents – had to be cut short so she could go and record the BBC show.

Ms Harman was invited to the school by sixth former and aspiring politician John Chilvers, 16, who said afterwards: "It was a great experience to meet someone so senior in the Labour party. She was a great speaker and answered all the questions really well.

"As young people, we wanted to prove we are not just a generation of rioters. It is not a generation that doesn't care and has no respect. We want to make a difference to our communities."

Ms Harman told the audience: "My office insisted I come because John had told them he wouldn't take no for an answer!"

It was her first foray into Faversham, a Conservative stronghold with only one Labour member on the town council.

She said: "We realise we are at a disadvantage in Faversham but I am here for a healthy political debate."

She was not disappointed, although no students from neighbouring Abbey School took part.

Town councillor Trevor Payne, who helped organise the evening, said it was a shame they did not attend, but added: "It was wonderful to have such a high-profile politician here.

"While the school hosted the event, I'm proud to say that it was very much the students who initiated it."

Past speakers have included Conservative MP Hugh Robertson, Margaret Thatcher's chief press secretary Bernard Ingham and former Revolutionary Communist Party member Claire Fox.

After Ms Harman left, student Anna Milne tweeted: "Harriet Harman, thank you for coming to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School this evening but why didn't you buy a cake? #letdown."

Quick as a flash, the MP tweeted back: "Sorry to run – had to catch train... hope you enjoyed cakes. Good questions, harder then BBC Question Time!"

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Why do you think grammar schools are wrong when you send your own son to grammar school?

"We want every school to be a good school and every student to have the best possibility of fulfilling their academic ability and for all young people to have the opportunity of the best possible teaching.

"The recommendations in our manifesto are for streaming and setting within schools, meaning there are different ability bands."

What's your stance on Europe?

"We were right not to join the Eurozone but it is important to be a part of Europe and be involved in negotiations. Some things like climate change can only be dealt with at a higher level of government."

Does Labour stand a chance in the next election under the "comedic figure" of Ed Miliband?

"We suffered a big defeat in the last election and are going through a rebuilding process. We need to keep faith with Ed Miliband and listen to what he is actually saying. We are the one voice making the argument that these cuts are too going far, too fast."