Wilmslow's ambassadors visit Westminster

Pupils representing all the schools in the Wilmslow and District Education Partnership enjoyed an exciting day in the capital on November 25th. The packed visit took in The Churchill War Museum, H M Treasury, Downing Street, the Palace of Westminster and a meeting with the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne.

The event was attended by two Student Council members from each local school and each student was invited to record their findings throughout the day. One aim of the event was to encourage reporting back to peers once they returned to school, so notebooks and cameras were well used tools on the day.

St Benedicts Catholic Primary School Headteacher, James Gallogly, said "After a whistle stop tour of the Churchill War Museum we were met by Emily Clifton from the Parliamentary Office of George Osborne MP. Emily escorted us through the inexorable security system that would allow entry to HM Treasury, not your usual tourist haunt!

"This brought a key highlight of day; a meeting with George Osborne MP. He took time out of his hectic schedule to welcome the party to his impressive office, with a fine view of St James's Park. This was territory far from the beaten track. Mr Osborne answered a range of questions and as ever was a natural with his audience. He showed the group the systems at work to support his day, his timetable, notes and even the contents of his red Ministerial briefcase. He talked about the challenges ahead with great enthusiasm. We were meeting Mr Osborne in the middle of a typically long and hectic day which started with meetings over breakfast and would continue into an evening dinner to celebrate Thanksgiving with the US Ambassador!

"As Mr Osborne left for a meeting about Health Service funding, Emily led us across Horse Guards Parade in the direction of Downing Street. Here, negotiating further security, we had the privilege of entering the doors of Number 10 to learn about constitutional history and the daily life of the current Government. Emily was a magnificent guide and teacher and promptly had us on the move to our next lesson. This was further along Whitehall at the Houses of Parliament. The chilly yet magnificent Westminster Hall was our first stop, a scene of Parliamentary history since 1200! Our passage to the gallery of the House of Commons was interrupted by an adjournment to House business. At this Emily negotiated skilfully to enable a visit to the floor of the House itself, a real coup! The Sergeant at Arms gave a vivid explanation of the workings of the Commons and a real flavour of the living history around us. How many pupils can boast that they have stood at the Dispatch Box like the Prime Minister?

James Gallogly added: "George is remarkably generous with his time given the demands made on it. I cannot thank him enough for making this trip possible."

Councillor for the Wilmslow North ward, Jim Crockatt, said: "It is very important that pupils are given the opportunity to see the workings of national government at first hand. I congratulate George Osborne for the invitation to visit Downing Street and thank him on behalf of all pupils especially those from Dean Oaks Primary School with which I have had a long association."

Tags:
Education, George Osborne
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