News

In the same week that we celebrated Junior’s election to represent his peers, we were also pleased to welcome Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham and member of the Liberal Democrat Party, into school for a wide-ranging conversation with our pupils.

What followed was a thoughtful exchange shaped by curiosity, honesty and challenge.

Our pupils asked important questions about education, opportunity and the world around them – and what stood out most was not just what they asked, but how clearly they understood what they need.

They explored the pressures of exams and the need for more practical pathways alongside academic study. They raised concerns about social media and the impact on young people, and asked what meaningful change in education might actually look like.

In response, Munira Wilson spoke about the realities of public life – including how decisions are made and how time must be carefully prioritised in a demanding role. She reflected that “politics is a lot about chance and timing”, a point that resonated with many students.

She also shared that “anyone” can become an MP once they are over 18, noting that you do not need a degree, and expressing a hope to see more people from a wider range of backgrounds entering politics, rather than a narrow set of experiences.

On social media, she reflected that a blanket ban would not necessarily be the most effective approach, suggesting instead that responsibility may sit more with regulating large tech companies through harm-based frameworks.

When asked about university access, she spoke candidly about the limits on public funding, while also raising concerns about fairness and the importance of ensuring education costs are not shaped by short-term political cycles.

She also discussed the idea of lowering the voting age, explaining that involving younger voters earlier could help ensure young people’s priorities are more consistently reflected in national decision-making.

Our pupils also challenged and explored ideas around education itself. Many spoke about the length of GCSE examinations and the desire for more opportunities to demonstrate skills beyond written assessment. In response, she reflected that she would support a broader model combining academic and technical learning, alongside greater emphasis on practical skills in a rapidly changing world.

Kitty in 11 student reflected afterwards:

“Meeting Munira was way more interesting than I expected… it felt like a real conversation… it made me realise politics isn’t just stuff you see on the news… it all felt a lot more real.”

Moments like this are humbling.

Because what becomes clear, listening to our young people, is not a lack of understanding – but a clarity about what they need, and a growing awareness of the barriers that sit in the way of it becoming reality.

When given the space, they do not just ask questions. They describe solutions, challenge assumptions, and think deeply about the future they are inheriting.

And that is where the real responsibility lies – not in giving them a voice, but in making sure it is truly heard.