Parliament Visit in Politics
On Tuesday 21st November, five pupils studying A Level Politics attended a debate and lunch as guests of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Engineering followed by a tour of the Channel 4 News studios at Millbank.
The trip was organised by Head of Politics Mr Matt Gow, who has taken small groups to these events for some years.
Having survived the obligatory security measures on entering Parliament, the pupils made their way to the prestigious Cholmondeley Room, with its accompanying terrace which is the principal function room of the House of Lords.
Hosting the event in Lord Mair’s absence, Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury introduced three guest speakers (Professor David Balmforth, BBC presenter Ayo Sokale and Sophie McPhillips) who shared insights and experiences from their careers and encouraged pupils to explore engineering as a career.
This was followed by a lively question and answer session which extended the discussion into wider social aspects of engineering from why the government was not building more reservoirs to providing clean water in the Third World. The pupils were also very fortunate to meet Lord Baker, who was a guest at the lunch, speaking passionately about why pupils should study STEM subjects at school and university.
After lunch, the girls crossed the road to Millbank Studios where Channel 4 news broadcasts its political news. Veteran reporter Gary Gibbon welcomed the group and talked us through the narrative arc of a news story from conception to its eventual broadcasting which was exciting and inspirational for the pupils.
The pupils also met a cameraman who showed off his state-of-the-art equipment bringing home just how much advances in technology has revolutionised the news gathering process.
All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable day which offered many exciting and interesting insights into the world of politics.
Photo 1 – Girls on House of Lords Terrace
Photo 2 – Girls with Lord Baker
Photo 3 – Girls with Gary Gibbon in Channel 4 TV studios
Photo 4 – Girls with Channel 4 News cameraman
