Government and Politics

Politics and Economics trip to Luxembourg, Strasbourg and Brussels December 2007

This was a very enjoyable and useful trip that 20 Year 12 and 13 Politics and Economics students went on in December after the end of term. Braving freezing temperatures, we visited the European Court of Justice where we had a very informed talk about this important European Union institution. There then followed a very thorough discussion about the role of the European Court of Auditors, also in Luxembourg.

In Strasbourg we visited two non-European Union institutions, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. There we engaged in a fascinating discussion with a human rights lawyer about immigration cases involving the UK government.

"This talk (at the European Court of Human Rights) has really convinced me I want to do something to do with Politics for a career." - A Year 13 student.

In Brussels we had a very lively talk and debate with a representative of UKIP about the European Parliament. This sparked a heated discussion for many hours afterwards, as well as some of the sharpest questioning of the entire trip.

"The best school trip I've ever been on - I had a fantastic time. It's really helped my understanding of EU institutions and the economics visits were also useful for the related element on our course." A Year 13 Politics student.

Thanks go to Miss Pallas-Brown for giving up a week of her holiday to come on the trip.

Politics Conference to London - Monday 3rd December 2007

The Year 12 Politics students experienced a great series of politicians speaking at a conference in London. This included George Galloway MP who was very controversial, Lembit Opik MP and Don Foster MP who spoke from a Lib Dem perspective in a humorous way. Also there were Tony Benn and Margaret Beckett MP from the Labour Party speaking about Parliament and Gordon Brown's government. From the Conservatives, Theresa May and Oliver Letwin discussed the prospects for David Cameron's Conservatives.

Mock Election Thursday 18th October 2007

In a closely fought contest Lucy Jeczalik of the Conservative Party won the school's annual mock election by 4 votes from Lucy Arora from the Green Party. Just behind were Sophie Hollows of the Liberal Democrats and Lydia Nicola representing the Labour Party. Thanks go to all of the candidates for a lively campaign.

Politics/Economics trip to Brussels - 17th to 22nd December 2006

Twenty Year 12 and Year 13 Politics and Economics students spent a fascinating five days in Brussels on a joint Politics and Economics trip after the end of term. The students' first visit was to the European Economic and Social Committee where they had the structure of the European Union effectively outlined. Following this was a lively debate at the Committee of the Regions led by an ex-Sun journalist. The students engaged in a no-holds-barred discussion. The European Commission visit overran because of the high quality of the discussion with our German administrator. The prospects for the revival of the European Constitution under the German six-month Presidency of the European Union were debated - you heard it here first.

Later that day was a first-rate visit to the European Parliament. They were met and lectured to by a senior member of the visitor service who was hugely impressed with their knowledge of European Union enlargement. They were then met by Sharon Bowles MEP to whom we are very grateful for sponsoring our visit to the European Parliament.

Overall, this was a hugely successful trip. Particular thanks go to Mrs Burdett for giving up her holiday and to the Belgians for their endless supply of waffles and chocolate.

Politics Conference - Monday 4th December 2006

The Politics students attended a packed Politics conference in London in December. Speakers included; Jack Straw MP, David Willetts MP, Lembit Opik MP, George Galloway MP, Hazel Blears MP, Vince Cable MP, Alan Duncan MP and Charles Kennedy MP. The Question and Answer sessions were topical and full of interest. Thanks go to Miss Stewart from the Modern Languages department for accompanying the Year 12 and 13 students.

Mock Election - Thursday 19th October 2006

The Mock election on Open Evening was a lively event and had a very high turnout despite only three candidates being represented this year. The result was as follows:

Julia Fairbank	Conservative	95	votes
Katherine Richards	Labour	35	votes
Emma Robinson	Liberal Democrat	158	votes

And Emma Robinson was elected.

Many thanks to all of those involved.

Formation of the Oxford High School Politics Society

The Year 12 Politics group at Oxford High School have formed a Politics Society dedicated to inviting a range of Politics speakers into the school. This formalises a system where many local politicians including the four main candidates In Oxford West and Abingdon constituency have been invited into school. The inaugural speaker at Oxford High School's Politics society is Lembit Opik MP, speaking on "Future prospects for Northern Ireland" on Thursday 22nd June. A range of exciting speakers is planned over the coming months. Lembit Opik MP had to cancel the first meeting of the newly formed Politics Society because of commitments at the House of Commons. Hopefully he will be able to come back soon. In the meantime, high profile local politicians are planed soon.

Politics Society meeting with Dr. Evan Harris MP - September 2006

Oxford High School's Politics society had a lively meeting with Liberal Democrat MP Dr. Evan Harris on the 14th September. He spoke effectively on the future direction of the National Health Service including his view of rational rationing. There followed an in-depth discussion on issues as diverse as drug trials and how patients should be prioritised. Many thanks to Dr. Evan Harris for his talk that was very well attended by students.

Year 13 Politics Conference Tuesday - 7th March 2006

This was an excellent conference in London which the Year 13 Politics students attended. Led by Eric Magee, Deborah Outhwaite and Richard Kelly, they covered topics on, the UK economy, law and order, European co-operation and integration, race and ethnicity, EU political systems, the welfare state, EU policy areas and Northern Ireland.

Politics Conference to London - 5th December 2005

This was an exciting conference to London attended by the Year 12 and Year 13 students. There were seven high profile speakers consisting of:

Francis Maude MP spoke about the recovery of the Conservative Party the day before the announcement of David Cameron's victory in the Conservative leadership contest.
Alan Duncan MP gave a lively discussion about the current state of British Politics.
Rhodri Morgan AM First Minister in Wales spoke about the achievements of Welsh Devolution.
Charles Kennedy MP gave one of his last speeches as leader of the Liberal Democrats about the role of the Lib Dems.
George Galloway MP gave a forceful and passionate defence of his views about his Respect Party.
Geoff Hoon MP Leader of the House of Commons and former Defence secretary had a lively interchange about the war in Iraq in his questions and answer session.
Lembit Opik MP rounded the day off with a down-to-earth discussion of the role of Europe in British Politics.

Year 12 Government and Politics conference to London (November 22nd 2004)

The Year 12 Politics students attended a series of talks and question and answer sessions that were lively and extremely topical. Speakers included: Electoral Prospects for the Lib Dems: Government, opposition or third party? - Charles Kennedy MP The political scene: exciting prospects - Daniel Finkelstein, The Times
The Lib Dems: a force to be reckoned with in the House of Commons? - Lembit Opik MP
The Tories under Michael Howard: ideology and policies - Tim Yeo MP
Labour Government: Achievement and challenges: re-election, new leader? Stephen Twigg MP
Can Parliament really control Government? - Gwyneth Dunwoody MP
Electoral prospects for the Tories: government or opposition for a third term? - Michael Ancram MP
Europe: Still the big headache for the parties? Ken Clarke MP

Joint Politics/Economics trip to Brussels (December 2004)

This was an opportunity to visit the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission and to see how these institutions work. This was of particular benefit to those students doing A2 Politics as well as those doing the AS course.

The students were able to discuss the diverse roles of the European Commission in one of their seminar rooms.

Visit to the European Commission

The visits included a tour around the European Parliament, the largest multi-national Parliament in the world representing 450 million citizens and 25 countries.

Visit to the European Parliament

Finally, the students were able to discuss the functions of the Council of Ministers where Member States of the European legislate.

Mock Election (October 2004)

A school Mock Election took place on the school's Open Evening: The result was as follows:

Lib Dems	71	votes
Conservative	53	votes
Labour	39	votes
UKIP	33	votes

Visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia 1st October 2004 to Oxford

This was an exciting opportunity to hear the Prime Minister of Malaysia, The Hon Dato Seri Abdullah Badawi on the subject of Malaysia, Islam and the Wider World.

Lectures on Constitutional change at Oxford University (2003/2004)
Lectures on Constitutional change at Oxford University (2004)

The AS and A2 students went to a series of lectures after school on Constitutional changes including:
The Butler Report: (Lord Butler)
What needs to be done to the House of Commons? (Tam Dalyell MP)
The Future of House of Lords Reform: (William Hague MP)
The role of the Opposition: a Conservative view (Eric Forth MP)
Why Executive devolution to Wales is unsatisfactory (Lord Richard)
Why Parliamentary procedure matters (Professor William McKay)
Was the Convention experiment to draw up the European Constitution a success? (Lord Kerr)

Further lectures have taken place this year including:

The role of the Opposition: a Conservative view (Alan Duncan MP)
The role of the Parliamentary sketchwriter: (Simon Carr - The Independent)
The case for and against a Supreme Court: (Lord Cooke of Thorndon/Professor J. A. G. Griffiths/ Dr. R Stevens
What changes in the EU constitution would be an improvement? (Lord Grenfell/ Dr C Kerse)
Can Welsh executive Devolution last? (Sir Michael Wheeler-Booth)
The Constitution and the Party System: (Professor Vernon Bogdanor)

Visit from Andrew Smith MP (November 2003)

Andrew Smith MP (Cabinet Minister responsible for Work and Pensions, at the time) came to speak to all of Years 12 and 13. Enclosed is a copy of the introduction to the visit and the questions that the students in Year 12 and 13 prepared as part of their PSHCE lessons the week before. This was part of the Citizenship programme delivered in PSHCE in conjunction with the Politics department.

Nairne Lecture at St. Catherine's College, Oxford (October 2003)

13 AS and A2 Government and Politics students went to the fifth annual Nairne Lecture at St. Catherine's College, Oxford on the topic of Europe given by Peter Mandelson, followed by a Question and Answer session chaired by Lord Plant of Highfield.

Trip to Brussels (April 2003)

This involved a visit to the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of Ministers that was a unique opportunity to see how a variety of European institutions operate.

Visit to the Council of Ministers in Brussels April 2003

Visit to the Houses of Parliament (February 2003)

Year 12 and Year 13 Politics students went to the Houses of Parliament. They had a guided tour of the House of Lords, watched Prime Minister's Question Time and then attended a debate in the House of Commons. Thanks go to Evan Harris MP for arranging the visit.

The Good Schools Guide A Level Awards

Oxford High School recently received an award presented by "The Good Schools Guide" as the Best Independent School for Girls for Government and Politics at AS Level.

Warmest congratulations to Head of Politics Department Mr M Gallacher and his students.