Diplomats of the future

Model United Nations

The chance to argue a case is popular with most students, and the opportunity to do so while learning about international relations and diplomacy is one that several of our pupils have seized.

Twelve girls travelled to Manchester last week with Headmistress Mrs Sanders and Miss Newbould, the school coordinator, to participate in a Model United Nations conference with 30 other schools and 400 pupils. The programme allows school and university students world-wide to engage many key skills such as critical thinking, teamwork and leadership, while debating and solving problems similar to those considered at the United Nations.

One of our pupils, Maria in Year 11, even received an award, a well-earned Commendation for her participation in committees which discussed such topics as the right to marry at 16 and vaccination programmes. She is now inspired to consider a career in international relations.

The girls will next have the opportunity to show their diplomatic powers at a similar event in Oxford.