March 17, 2022

On Friday 11 March, three of our students were invited to attend a Speaker of the House of Commons session in Leeds. Taking place in the Mantel Music Studio at Opera North, EHC students Blessing Hachem, Josh Newcome and Paul Rees were accompanied by teacher Mr Bland and joined other students from 18 secondary schools and colleges across Leeds to take part in the event.  

The current Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle, was elected on 4 November 2019 following the retirement of John Bercow. Students attending the event were given the opportunity to learn more about his role and ask any questions they may have. During the second half of the event, a debate took place chaired by the Speaker, focussed on the issue ‘Should all exams be scrapped?’ 

“Taking our students to the debate was a fantastic opportunity for them. Not only did they see the Speaker of the House of Commons in action, but it allowed them to practice their debating skills and think critically about the topic being discussed.”
Mr Bland, Teacher of Politics and History.