On a gloriously sunny July weekend, eight Xaverian Year 12 Politics students travelled to Liverpool to take part in the prestigious national finals of the EU Youth Parliament. Representing Manchester after winning their regional round earlier in the year, the students joined peers from across England and Wales for three days of debate, team building and high-level political discussion.
The event brought together students from sixth form colleges, private schools and comprehensives across the UK — all competing not just for national recognition, but for the opportunity to represent the UK in upcoming mainland Europe events taking place this October.
From the moment they arrived, the focus was firmly on the students. What followed was an immersive and empowering experience for all involved: an evening of ice-breaking and team building, a full day of intensive research and planning, and then the main event, a series of debates led by student committees on topics ranging from UK involvement in a European defence organisation to the ‘female pain gap’ in medical treatment.
The Xaverian team impressed judges, organisers and peers alike. Their thoughtful contributions, respectful collaboration and articulate presentations stood out across the weekend.
By the end of the event, four Xaverian students, Ash Jole, Toby Payne, Max Sterken and Joud Hamad, had been selected to take part in the European events later this year, an incredible achievement given the national scale of the competition.
The praise didn’t end there. Event organisers personally sought out staff to commend the Xaverian team for being “the most polite, helpful and enthusiastic group at the event.”
Enrichment opportunities like the EU Youth Parliament are a vital part of the student experience at Xaverian. They offer learners the chance to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world contexts, develop key life skills, such as public speaking, teamwork and critical thinking, and gain the confidence that comes from engaging with others on national, and now international, stages. These experiences are not only memorable, but also transformative.
Neil Mountjoy, Politics Curriculum Leader, shared his pride in the students: “It was an absolute privilege to see our students rise to the occasion. They weren’t just participants, they were leaders, collaborators and role models. The compliments from the organisers were richly deserved. Watching them represent Xaverian and Manchester with such poise and passion was genuinely inspiring. Congratulations to the whole team on a fantastic achievement that reflects the very best of Xaverian College.”
As one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the region, Xaverian College offers an extensive range of A Levels in addition to several Applied courses. Visit www.xaverian.ac.uk to find out more.