Two first year girls, Amy Brash and Nicole Philip flew to London on 16th March to interview Prime Minister, Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street. The girls were part of the BBC project School Report which aims to encourage young people to develop a variety of skills in journalism. Along with two pupils from London, Belfast and Cardiff they were to have unprecedented access to the PM. Amy and Nicole represented their class 1S3 who had been working on the project for several months, reporting, interviewing, writing articles and presenting the news. Amy and Nicole were chosen because they, along with the rest of the class had to write a letter to the Head Teacher saying why they should be the ones to go to London.

The morning was spent at the BBC offices in Millbank learning about production techniques with the help of David Thompson the BBC Political Correspondent. In the afternoon they walked to Downing Street past the Houses of Parliament. Once through security there was a photo opportunity in front of the famous black door.

Seated at the Cabinet Table the girls then had the opportunity to quiz the PM. Nicole asked if it was an advantage or a disadvantage to be a Scot in London and why there are so many Scots in positions of power. The Prime Minister’s answers were very diplomatic but he did give away his sense of patriotism by saying it is always an advantage to be a Scot. Amy asked about his children and how he managed to spend time with them. He laughed and said the voices they could hear were his children in the garden and he suggested they could go out into the garden to meet them. This was an amazing experience for the girls, even the BBC crew were surprised that they were allowed to do this.

Back inside there was time for photos and autographs before heading back to Gatwick for the flight home. Both girls said it was a fantastic day. There is no doubt it was a wonderful opportunity and one neither girls will ever forget.