Twenty five learners from The Link Academy met the Speaker of the House of Commons at the Houses of Parliament during a private audience in Westminster. Sir Lindsay Hoyle took questions from the group, giving learners from Netherton direct access to the Speaker of the House.
The visit brought the academy’s Student Parliament work into the House of Commons Chamber and the areas linked to the State Opening of Parliament. It also placed Cat Eccles MP in the same private audience, alongside a question-and-answer session that let the learners quiz Hoyle themselves.
Amman Ahmed arranged the visit
Amman Ahmed, the Student Parliament Lead, said the trip grew out of his role as a UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador over the summer. “Having been fortunate enough to become a UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador over the summer, I wanted to use that opportunity to open doors for our learners.”
He said the day gave young people from Netherton a chance to walk through Parliament and question the Speaker himself. “It is one thing to teach democracy in a classroom, but another for young people from Netherton to walk through Parliament and question the Speaker himself.”
The Link Academy and Student Parliament
Ahmed linked the visit to the academy’s Student Parliament, which he said is designed to empower learners and build future leaders. “Our Student Parliament is about empowering learners, developing future leaders and showing them that their voices truly matter.”
The academy said the learners were the first in its history to meet with the Speaker of the House of Commons. That detail sets this apart from a routine school trip: the visit moved beyond a tour and into direct exchange with the person who runs debates in the House of Commons Chamber.
Kate Brown on the visit
Kate Brown, Behaviour Manager at The Link Academy, said the day stood out for the academy and the learners. “What an extraordinary experience for the young people of our academy.”
She said, “To be the first learners in the history of The Link Academy to meet with the Speaker of the House of Commons is a remarkable achievement and something that will stay with us forever.” Brown also said, “I am incredibly proud to work alongside young people who demonstrate such ambition, curiosity and zest for life.”
Brown added, “As Mrs Edwards-Morgan often reminds our young people, when we work hard, we can achieve anything and today has truly brought that message to life.” The academy’s Ofsted report for May 2026 said leaders had carefully planned a range of trips that enhance the curriculum and give pupils opportunities they may not have experienced, placing the Parliament visit in the same pattern of planned experiences.
