Politics trips & visits

Reviews of events both at and away from Invicta involving A Level Politics students ..............................

Visit by Mr Ashworth, MEP
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This June, Year 12 Politics students were treated to a visit by the MEP Richard Ashworth. Mr Ashworth is MEP for the South East Region and it was a great honour and privilege that he could find time in his busy schedule to come and talk to our students. The event was extremely interesting with topical debate on current European Union issues such as the constitution and the British budget rebate. Mr Ashworth was also able to provide fascinating insights into the everyday workings of the European Parliament. Grateful thanks go to Kathy Barry for initiating the event by originally contacting Mr Ashworth and inviting him to Invicta.


	Mr Ashworth, Conservative MEP for South East
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Visit to Archbishop Courtenay Primary School

On Friday 14 th July seven year 12 Invicta students went to Archbishops Courtneay school to teach a politics lesson to a class of year six students. We planned and organized seven activities including a starter activity and a final quiz and tried to incorporate a variety of different teaching styles.

We opened with a question and answer activity about Tony Blair allowing the students to move around the classroom as they answered and appealing to kinesthetic learners. Then the students sat down and as a class participated in making a brainstorm of ideas on the board about what words could be used to describe a good prime minister. This activity started a lively discussion about suitable personality traits and allowed the class to voice their ideas. Then the students were asked to write ideas about what laws they would introduce if they were Prime minister. This was a short activity to encourage them to empathize with, and understand the power of a prime minister. While the students wrote their ideas, we assisted them and worked along side students who were struggling meaning every student was spoken to. After this some students were able to feedback their ideas to the class.

The next activity involved a mock leadership election for the Labour Party. Invicta students posed as candidates and appealed to the class with short and differing manifestos about how they would change the school day. Then the class was able to vote on ballot paper for their preferred choice and the students were introduced to key terms like the ballot box while they made their vote. Whilst the votes were counted the voting process used in general elections was explained to the class including polling stations and anonymity. The winning candidate then took part in PMQs allowing the class to ask some basic questions about a prime minister. There was also a worksheet activity enabling students to match up the prime minister’s diary appointments with their respective locations. Like wise key terms were explained.

The students were then split into four teams, each with a colour and stick-on ties matching that colour. The teams were asked questions relating to what they had learnt that day and the first correct answer enabled a team member to stick his or her tie on the elected prime minister-like pin the tail on the donkey. The winning team was the team with the most ties at the end. Sweets were awarded as a prize. To close the class was split in two and took part in an electronic penalty shoot-out quiz using the interactive whiteboard.

The morning was designed to introduce students to the world of politics and give them a rough idea of the job of the prime minister and also for Invicta students to gain an insight into the experience of teaching a younger class. The day was a real success with a really good variety of activities and a good mixture of tasks; it was all well prepared and flowed well. The most successful activities were the tie game and the opening quiz and students were responsive and engaged throughout, they were prompted and became more vocal as the morning developed. Perhaps some of the material could have been explained more clearly; with oral communications suffering at times. Also the pace of the penalty shoot out game prevented much valuable discussion. We really enjoyed the day and definitely felt the students had learnt things, between us we also managed to speak to each student individually- it was beneficial for everyone!

C.S. Year 12

Visit from Hugh Robertson MP for Mid-Kent and Faversham
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On Friday 11 th February both the year 12 and 13 politics groups were able to met and ask questions of the Conservative MP for Mid-Kent and Faversham, Hugh Robertson. Hugh Robertson is the Shadow Secretary for Sport taking over from Colin Moynihan in early 2005. The first part of the session was a talk from Mr. Robertson on what an MP's role is, how they work in their constituencies and the difficulties faced with a constituency which has such diversity saying that it is difficult sometimes as issues that may occur in Faversham will have nothing or very little to do with what is happening in another part of his constituency such as Headcorn. Then it was over to us to ask questions. Questions were asked about issues such as where Britain's position in regards to whether we should be more involved with America or Europe his answer was that he thinks the balance we have at the moment is just right but we have to be careful of tipping the balance. Questions were also asked of his views as Shadow Sports Minister to what his views were on minority sports and the facilities for them as in the Olympics most of the medals came from minority sports such as cycling. Other questions were asked about cycling facilities such as cycle paths as an issue is arising with pedestrians not wanting cyclists on the paths, but it being too dangerous to cycle on the roads. Mr. Robertson's response was that there is a limited amount he can do about this as it is more an issue for the council because of the funding they have and it is their responsibility to deal with road layouts. Unfortunately time was short and Mr. Robertson had to leave but Mr. Beamish couldn't let him go without checking that it was in fact the Tory policy to make history compulsory up until the age of 16 like it is on the majority of the Continent, his reply was a resounding yes which pleased Mr. Beamish.
	By K H, Year 12



	Mr Robertson meets Politics students at Invicta



	Find out more about Hugh Robertson's work by clicking on the image above
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Year 12 Politics Trip to Parliament & Cabinet War Rooms

On the 28th January 2005 the year 12 politics class went on a day trip to the Houses of Parliament and the Churchill Museum. Seeing the Houses of Parliament first hand gave us a great insight into how the parliamentary systems work, how the Houses are organised and, most importantly, how it is run and how decisions are made. I think we all agree that having the tour has really helped us with our studies and our understanding of the topic. The Churchill museum in Whitehall was also very educational and helped us learn more about his life and when he was Prime Minister. Again we feel that this will provide us with valuable information for our studies in the future. Overall this trip was very successful and a very educational trip, even if the weather was against us. We would like to thank everyone who helped us to organise it.

Maria Bruce 12G



	Politics students taking in the sites in front of the Houses of Parliament
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Year 12 Study Visit to Paris January 2006

On 27 th January, 15 students from the sixth from along with Miss Maret and Mr Higgins arrived at the Gare du Nord station in Paris for a mixed politics and French conference entitled ‘your future in Europe’ at the Palais du Congrés. The conference was a very interesting and inspiring experience with politicians and guest speakers such as John Seargent from the BBC who gave an insight into a wide range of European opportunities. These were divided into three sections; European politics, languages and economics, which many schools attended. After the conference, there was time for a spot of sightseeing including the Eiffel tower, a boat trip along the river Seine and finally an Italian meal at the Champs d’Elyseés. Sunday gave us a final chance to do some souvenir shopping at the Sacré Coeur and Montmartre before returning home on the Eurostar. This was a valuable experience and we would like to thank Miss Maret and Mr Higgins for organizing this trip for us. Mona McCann & Megan Thomas
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	Students at the Palais de Congres in Paris
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