TOP POLITICAL JOURNALIST INSPIRES GUESTS AT KINGHAM HILL SCHOOL ANNUAL DINNER

28 May 2018

Guests attending the annual dinner for Kingham Hill School’s Octagon Academic Society were treated to a talk by top historian and journalist, Peter Snowdon.

The event was held on Tuesday 24th April; pupils from Kingham Hill’s Octagon Society were joined for the drinks reception and three course meal by their parents, staff and head teachers from local schools.

Following coffee and petits fours, Mr Gareth Williams, Head of the Octagon Society, kicked off the evening’s speeches recounting his own experiences of being inspired by learning through being in an academic society. The achievement of those in the society was reflected on, with particular reference to Kingham Hill’s own version of Mastermind, which was held last term.

The highly respected political journalist, Peter Snowdon, author of Cameron at 10 and Blair Unbound, and BBC Radio 4’s Today producer, took centre stage to inspire the pupils with his stories of education and the workplace.
Reflecting on his time in secondary education, Peter spoke avidly about young people using their time at school to follow subjects that they are passionate about, as he did with politics, leading to his successful career in journalism and in the media.

Current pupils listened intently as Peter talked about his daily routines working for the Today Programme and on Nick Robinson’s podcast. Hearing someone talk about their career with such enthusiasm had a big impact on pupils, especially our Head of Octagon, Danika, who used her Vote of Thanks to talk about how it encouraged her to continue to explore her own interest in politics.

Gareth Williams, Head of Languages and Octagon at Kingham Hill School, said of the evening: “What a splendid occasion to celebrate our academic society! Having Peter Snowdon as our Guest of Honour was an absolute treat: he inspired our pupils to take risks and follow the argument where it leads. We’re already looking forward to next year’s dinner”.