On Friday 19th January, Brentford School for Girls welcomed Baroness Hamwee to the school to speak with the 6th form about the role of the House of Lords in the political system and inspire the students with her career and political journey.

Baroness Hamwee was educated at Manchester High School for Girls, and Girton College, Cambridge, where she studied law. She was a councillor in Richmond from 1978 to 1998, as a Liberal until the formation of the Liberal Democrats in 1988, and was made a life peer on 6th June 1991 as Baroness Hamwee, of Richmond upon Thames in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Since April 2021 she has chaired the Justice and Home Affairs Select Committee.

The visit was organised through the ‘Learn with the Lords in School’ initiative. Learn with the Lords in School gives the opportunity for students to interact with a member of the House of Lords, delivering an informative presentation about their role in the House of Lords and giving the opportunity for students to ask their own questions.

The visit was a great success. The Baroness started the session by explaining how the House of Lords worked and the role the house has in the passing of laws and how select committees operate. However, it was the 45-minute Q&A sessions that was the highlight for the students and all involved.

Baroness Hamwee happily accepted questions on a wide variety of topics such as her career in law, gender equality, her personal journey, what it was like studying at Cambridge and more general questions such as ‘are the seats in the House of Lords comfortable’! As a socially conscious group of young people, they were interested in the current position of the house on immigration and the situations around the world. Baroness Hanwee’s insight was well received and her knowledge on the legal aspects of the rights of people was enlightening.

These initiatives are very important to enable young people who will be potentially voting in the next general election to engage with those who help to make decisions. Brentford School for Girls believes that these sessions help to fulfil their vision of developing all students into the ‘Brentford Girl of the Future’ – one that thrives on challenge, is able to think independently, and is ready for life in the future.

The school is very grateful to Baroness Hamwee for her time and her openness in answering questions and are hopeful that the visit inspired students to follow their career paths, be more understanding about current issues and be prepared to make informed decisions when choosing how to vote.