On Monday 22 September, our Year 13 Law and Politics students, accompanied by Ms Ingham (Head of Law and Politics) and Ms Simpson (Vice Principal), travelled to London for an educational visit. The trip included tours of the Supreme Court, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament.
The group set off early, meeting at Manchester Piccadilly at 7.30am before travelling to London by train and continuing on the Underground to Embankment. From there, students enjoyed a walk along the River Thames, taking in iconic landmarks, such as the London Eye and The Shard.
At the Supreme Court, students had the opportunity to explore all three courtrooms. A knowledgeable guide explained the role of the Court, highlighted the symbolism behind the building’s design and artwork, and introduced students to a real-life case for discussion. They also had the chance to sit in the Justices’ seats and share their own perspectives, providing valuable insight into the workings of the UK’s highest court.
From there, the group walked past Downing Street, the Horse Guards Parade and through St James’s Park, before arriving at Buckingham Palace. After taking photos and enjoying the atmosphere outside the Palace, the group stopped for lunch in St James’s Park.
In the afternoon, students toured the Houses of Parliament, visiting the House of Commons, the House of Lords and Westminster Hall. They stood in the benches behind the Prime Minister’s seat and learned about the rich history of the Palace of Westminster. The tour also highlighted landmark protests, constitutional changes and significant laws debated and passed there. Students engaged in discussions on current issues, such as the proposal to reduce the voting age to 16 and the possible removal of the 92 remaining hereditary peers.
The visit concluded with an interactive political workshop in which students, working in groups, created their own political parties with unique policies and selected candidates to stand for election. Congratulations went to Fikayo, whose policies and presentation won him the vote, demonstrating great promise as a future representative of the people.
After a long but inspiring day, students reflected on their experiences during the train journey home. Both Ms Ingham and Ms Simpson praised the group for the maturity, enthusiasm and teamwork they demonstrated throughout the day, noting how well they represented the WHGS community.