John Kyrle High School recently hosted two speakers, who visited sixth formers to give their views on the vital importance of political debate.

The first, John Delahoy, had been chairman of the Young Communist League and visited China in the 1950s as part of a worldwide delegation to Peking, where he met Chairman Mao. Mr Delahoy spoke powerfully about the need for young people to engage with politics and make sure their voice is heard.

His topics ranged from Facebook, to The European Court of Human Rights, Islamaphobia and beyond. The Conference Centre was packed full of students and staff who listened with rapt attention and some of whom stayed afterwards to have lunch and talk some more. Mr Delahoy is the father of John Kyrle’s Head of English.

The second speaker was Jesse Norman, biographer and Conservative MP for South Herefordshire. Mr Norman braved a full house of inquisitive and well-informed sixth formers who asked questions about the Government’s position on refugees, the EU, political philosophy, Donald Trump and many other topics.

Questions were answered in a considered and thorough way for over an hour; at lunchtime, many students stayed to continue to ask Mr Norman questions and express their views on current political topics.

Mr Norman said, “I love speaking at John Kyrle High School: the students are terrific, and the questions always focused, punchy and very intelligent! This visit was no different. Massive thanks to them, and to Nigel Griffiths and the teachers, and best of luck in their exams.”

Both events attracted an enthusiastic and interested audience, many of whom have been actively involved in the school’s Debate Club and associated competitions.