The SAS outside before their tour of the houses

Box Hill gets an insight into politics

A visit to the Houses of Parliament gives Box Hill School students a taste of government history and careers advice

Posted by Stephanie Broad | October 15, 2015 | School life

Box Hill School, houses of parliament, school trip, career advice, politics, Senior Academic Society, independent schools

Twenty members of The Senior Academic Society (SAS) at Box Hill School recently had the opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament.

The sixth form students arrived and started with a personal tour, where they were guided through the entrance to the Houses, a historic building that is still used by the Queen of England today when she opens Parliament. 

Throughout the tour, international students picked up on connections with the countries they are from - including German and French painters, and Russian royal cousins.

Students also took part in a workshop called ‘Rights and Representations’ where they explored the emergence of representational democracy in the UK and the governance of contemporary Britain.

During the workshop

The group was divided into four teams and each team had to deliver a speech on how to engage youth in politics and voting, to which all the groups agreed that the age of voting should stay at 18.

Some ambitious students used the afternoon to ask for careers advice on ‘how to become an MP.’

Larisa Ennos, Head of the Senior Academic Society, said: “The trip was a real success as it made us think about the individual’s involvement in politics and how it affects us as a nation. We were encouraged to create our vision of the parliament of the future. Next year most of the participants in this trip will have the right to vote – the right to make a difference”.

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