It was with great pleasure that we welcomed our MP, Laura Farris MP for Newbury, to Downe House to spend an hour with our sixth formers.

After a brief meeting with Headmistress Emma McKendrick, Laura joined all our Lower and Upper Sixth Form students in the Murray Centre auditorium where she spoke about her own career path from Oxford University through to her journey to becoming an MP in 2019. She mentioned growing up discussing politics around the dinner table with her father, the late Michael McNair-Wilson former MP for Newbury, and always having an interest in the political world; she also talked about her time as a Political Journalist working in both America and London before being called to the Bar in 2007.

There could scarcely have been a better moment in time to have the opportunity to welcome our MP and the Sixth Form did not shy away from posing a challenging array of questions covering the economic situation, immigration, the coronation, the environment and her thoughts on Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss. She was extremely impressed by their level of engagement and interest and answered the questions openly and honestly. It was a thoroughly enjoyable session.

The talk was part of the Sixth Form students’ enrichment programme, which regularly includes talks and workshops from a wide range of guests who talk on both topical issues that enhance and broaden students’ global outlook and depth of knowledge on current affairs, as well as sessions linked to their A Level studies and exploring future career paths.