CLEVEDON School students were one of the first schools in the country to be selected for a new project called ‘Lessons at Number 10’.

This gives the opportunity for students to not only arrive and walk up to the famous doorway, but also experience a day inside Number 10 Downing Street.

They had a tour of the buildings, lunch, and a politics lesson in one of the State Dining rooms.

Clevedon students were put at ease by the members of the Number 10 household team.

They greeted the students warmly and shared insights of the incredible art that surrounded them whilst they enjoyed a generous reception in the beautiful Terracotta Room.

Time was also given over to explore the artworks that hang on the walls and visit the Cabinet Rooms where students experienced the process of decision making at Cabinet Meetings.

Assistant headteacher Emma Norman said: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and one which will remain with students for ever.

“It was a privilege to see the inner workings of our Government and experience what happens behind that famous door.

“It certainly engaged our students and the questions they asked were excellent.”

Over the four hours visit the students had a unique and firsthand insight into the role of the Prime Minister and No 10 at the very centre of government.

The Question and Answer session gripped everyone.

They learned how executive power flows through Secretaries of State in charge of departments like the Home Office and Ministry of Defence enabling them to run the country on a day-to-day basis.

They also learned about the crucial role that parliament plays in holding every government to account, as well as debating and voting in the new legislation needed to keep pace with societal change and for Prime Minister’s to deliver against their agenda.

Head of politics, Mark Cullen, added: “This trip really brought our course to life, with students fully appreciating the significance of where they were not least as President Zelinsky had been in the same very rooms the day before.”

The students saw where history meets the present day, visiting the famous Cabinet Rooms where generations of Prime Ministers have convened their top ministers to discuss the issues of the day.

They also heard how strategy is developed in forums like the National Security Council and how the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms (COBR) are used to convene meetings that aid urgent national decision making in times of crisis, from responding to pandemics to terrorist attacks.

Clevedon School were very proud that the Downing Street staff commented that the students were “brilliant”.