Sixth Form Politics and History pupils enjoyed a fascinating trip to Washington DC, the heart of historical and political America, just days before voters headed to the polls in the 2024 US Presidential Election.
The trip offered an insight into contemporary American politics and its history. Hamptonians kicked off their visit with a guided tour of the National Mall, home to many iconic monuments and museums. Stops included the towering Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, where pupils reflected on the leadership of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. The group also toured the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which provided a powerful insight into the struggles and triumphs of Black Americans through history, from slavery to the Civil Rights movement.
The Sixth Formers also enjoyed visiting many iconic US government sites. At the Supreme Court, they listened to a talk in the historic courtroom where landmark cases are heard. They also headed to the National Archives where they were able to view original documents central to American democracy, including the original Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The visit to the US Capitol offered a unique chance to see some of America’s most celebrated government chambers up close.
The group also visited the Arlington National Cemetery, first established during the American Civil War and the largest cemetery in the USA. The site is where many famous historical figures are buried, including former president John F Kennedy and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, known for her work on gender equality and civil rights.
As well as the seeing the major landmarks, the group watched an exciting NHL match between the Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Flyers, enjoyed dinner at Barack Obama’s favourite DC diner, and even bumped into Ed Miliband MP, former Leader of the Labour Party and current Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero since the 2024 General Election.
Mr Will Leafe, Head of Politiics, was delighted with the success of the trip:
It has been incredibly rewarding to see how much Sixth Form Hamptonians have taken from this once-in-a-lifetime trip to Washington DC (at election time!), both in terms of the memories they have made with their friends as well as the academic inspiration for their Politics and History courses.
I would like to thank Mr Parrish, Miss Bellingan, Mr Baker, Mr Fuldner and Miss Peck for their outstanding efforts – during their usual holiday time – to shape an unforgettable experience for our pupils. we are very proud that this much-loved Hampton trip has returned (for the first time since 2018) smoothly and successfully.
The trip gave Hamptonians a profound appreciation of American history, governance, and culture, setting the stage for many future discussions on global political dynamics.
Back to All Articles
