The Politics A Level Conference 2025 was an incredibly enriching experience and definitely our highlight of the academic year.

The conference brought together a diverse range of speakers, including Members of Parliament such as Sarah Olney for Richmond, Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party and even Mr Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle. Each speaker contributed something valuable, offering perspectives that spanned across parties, regions, and areas of expertise.

Their insights into leadership, policymaking, and the rapidly shifting political landscape made every session feel relevant and thought-provoking.

One aspect we particularly enjoyed was hearing the speakers talk about their personal motivations for entering politics. Many shared moments from their early careers, the challenges they faced, and the issues that continue to drive their work today. These personal stories made the world of politics feel far more approachable and helped connect the content of our A Level studies with real human experiences.

A standout feature of the conference was the rare opportunity to ask questions directly to frontline politicians. Being able to raise points, challenging assumptions and responses, made the day feel genuinely interactive. It was amazing to see politicians engage openly with students and take our questions seriously. This dialogue added depth to topics we’ve only encountered through textbooks or the media, and it offered valuable insight into how political decisions are shaped by competing priorities.

What we found interesting as well, was the discussion around political issues and problems to understand the political climate to a further extent, and even if we disagreed hearing different points of views and learning more about difficult issues.

Overall, the conference was informative, enjoyable, and inspiring; a brilliant experience that strengthened our understanding of real-world politics.

Yasmin A & Maya J, Year 12