Sutton High Sixth Form – June Highlights

From Commons to Courtroom – Year 12s First‑Hand Look at UK Democracy

On Tuesday, our Politics class took a trip to Parliament and the Supreme Court. At Parliament, we explored the historic buildings where the nation’s biggest decisions are debated and made, gaining a much better sense of how the institutions we study actually operate. We also had the opportunity to meet a newly elected Conservative local councillor, who spoke to us about her experiences in politics, the realities of local government and the challenges of representing a community. One of the highlights of the visit was sitting in the House of Commons and spotting the famous microphones hanging from the ceiling, which we usually only see on television during Prime Minister’s Questions and debates.

Our visit to the Supreme Court gave us a closer look at the UK’s judicial system and the vital role judges play in interpreting the law and holding power to account. On our way to Parliament, we unexpectedly came across a very dramatic Clean Up Westminster protest, which served as a timely reminder that political participation extends beyond election day. Seeing democracy in action (both inside Westminster’s institutions and out on the streets) helped bring many of the topics we have studied this year to life. Overall, the trip was both insightful and enjoyable and it gave us a much deeper understanding of how the UK’s political system works in practice.

– Claudia W, Year 12.