Thirty Ponteland High School students travelled to London this week for a very special visit inside 10 Downing Street as part of the Lessons at 10 programme.
The students were selected from across the school in recognition of the contribution they have made to wider school life over the past year. The group included students who have stood as candidates in the Northumberland Youth Elections, taken part in the European Youth Parliament project and contributed to a wide range of extracurricular opportunities in school.
During the visit, students toured the historic State Rooms, including the White Room, where they were able to sit in chairs used by Prime Ministers and visiting world leaders over many years. They also took part in a discussion in the Cabinet Room itself – the room where government ministers meet each week – and even managed to spot Larry the Downing Street cat along the way.
Another highlight was meeting Ponteland High School alumnus Ger Ellis, who now works as part of the Prime Minister’s team and helps prepare him each week for Prime Minister’s Questions. It was particularly good for students to hear first-hand about the route Ger had taken from Ponteland into a role at the heart of government.
The group travelled from Newcastle to London and back in a day, with sixth form students playing an important role in supporting younger students throughout. There was also time on the walk back to the station to take in Horse Guards Parade and Trafalgar Square.
Deputy Headteacher Jonny Greenshields, who led the visit, said:
“This was really about recognising everything these students have put into school life over the past year and giving them an opportunity they are unlikely to forget.
“Being inside a building that has been at the centre of so many significant moments in our country’s history was a remarkable experience. Our students were interested, engaged and full of questions throughout the day, and represented the school brilliantly.
“It was also a long day, involving a 6am train and a very busy London transport system, and they handled all of that with real maturity. It was absolutely worth the early start.”
The visit forms part of Ponteland High School’s wider commitment to giving students opportunities to get involved, broaden their experiences and learn beyond the classroom.