Grange takeover of Parliament

January in the Politics department means that it's time for the annual AS trip to Parliament. As ever, it was a hectic schedule with our tube travel novices graduating with honours after two days of the ‘rush hour body crushing' which seems to be part and parcel of London commuting. 

After a burger banquet at Planet Hollywood, we went to see the much talked about movie ‘The Iron Lady', which had been released to coincide with our visit. For students too young to remember Mrs Thatcher this was an excellent support to our studies. On the second day we braved the morning rush hour to make an early tour of the Houses of Parliament, which was followed by an enlightening meeting with our MP Graham Evans.

There is a growing Grange School contingent at Westminster these days. It was a special moment for Mr Jones and me to listen to our former students Edward Winstanley and Peter Lineen talk about their work in the House and Grange parent Fiona Bruce generously gave up her time to talk to us about life as an MP. It gave a brilliant insight as to what goes on behind the scenes, before going into the gallery itself to listen to William Hague answering questions on behalf of the Foreign Office.

We finished the day with some time to relax in Covent Garden before battling again with the crowds to make it back to Euston on time for the train home. Once again the trip had brilliantly reinforced everything we have been studying on the AS course.