New Hall School hosted a varied and action-packed visit from Kemi Badenoch MP on Friday 4 March, taking in a political discussion, talks about the new nearby station and a World Book Week story reading.

During her visit, Ms Badenoch heard about that day’s top co-curricular lunch time activity – a Question Time Debate led by Sixth form Politics students. Anastasia, Zara, Sophia  (Year 12) and Oliver (Year 13) met the MP and spoke eloquently with her on the subject of the conflict in Ukraine.

Politics is a popular A Level subject at New Hall, and students were recently part of the audience asking questions during a televised BBC Question Time programme in London.

During a tour of the 70-acre School site, Principal Mrs Katherine Jeffrey and Deputy Principal Mr Andrew Fardell also discussed the impact of the new railway with Ms Badenoch.

Celebrating World Book Week, the MP then read ‘Somebody Crunched Colin’ to an enthralled class of Year 2 students in the Preparatory Division. Ms Badenoch was impressed by all of the New Hall pupils and students that she met, and she said that she hoped to be able to join a Question Time debate herself in the future.

Principal, Katherine Jeffrey, said: “New Hall was delighted to host a visit from the Minister, to show her the extensive facilities of the School and the enthusiastic politicians we are nurturing.

“It’s not the first time we have come to Ms Badenoch’s attention as she gave glowing feedback on a Pupil Parliament film we made four years ago about whether 16 year olds should have the vote, in which she was portrayed by a Preparatory Division pupil.”