Much warmer today in Washington which allowed our group to enjoy their tour of Washington buildings whilst still being able to feel their ears.

They got to Ford's Theatre, the National Archives, the US Supreme Court and the Capitol Building as well as getting to one of the committee rooms in the Dirksen Congressional Office. Unfortunately, we missed our meeting with the congressional staffer as he was called away to a meeting with the Foreign Relations Committee chairman who clearly has more sway than us.

The evening was spent at the Verizon Center watch the Washington Capitals ice hockey team lost to the San Jose Sharks 5-3. Great atmosphere and a fantastic experience.

Location:Monday in DC

Sunday in Washington

Bitterly cold in Washington today with temperatures barely above zero all day. Our brave group soldiered on and saw both the White House and Washington Monument and visited the White House Visitor Centre, American History Museum and Newseum which, once again, was firmly voted as a favourite museum. The Naval Memorial which includes a walk over map of the world allowed an excited Mrs Forkan to conduct an impromptu Geography lesson. Dinner at the Hard Rock was a pleasant experience (which made a change from previous trips) and the day was finished off with a visit to the tackiest souvenir shop in DC so don't expect great presents when we return!!

Weather set to warm up for the rest of the week which will be a relief.

Washington Update

With all their winter clothes crammed into suitcases, the 2012 History & Politics Washington group arrived safely to the bitterly cold US capital yesterday. Having sampled the US size food portions in Harriets, a very tired group headed off to bed for an early night ready for the first day of sightseeing tomorrow. Predicted snow did not materialise but temperature staying around freezing all day today but everyone ready to "layer up" and face the biting wind chill!!

Washington Trip Powerpoint

Here is the powerpoint covering details for this February's trip to Washington. To make it larger, click on the "square" button at the bottom in the middle.

Washington Trip

You may have noticed a countdown timer and weather forecast box have been added to the right hand side - this is looking forward to the Washington Trip taking place in February Half Term. With the primary season in full swing, it will certainly be an exciting time to be out there, if somewhat cold!

Film Night

There's a Politics Film Night this afternoon in the Common Room. The film will be Legally Blonde 2, which follows Elle Woods' (Reese Witherspoon) attempts to lobby Congress on behalf of her chihuahua. It will be at 3.30 and all Year 12s are welcome to attend.

PS: Here are 124 other films set in Washington DC. Let us know if you can recommend any of them!

Justin Webb Visit

An exciting visit today from Justin Webb, the presenter of the Today programme on Radio 4. He started working for the BBC in 1984 and has done a variety of different jobs since then from Breakfast News to the European Correspondent to (most importantly for A2 Politics students) the BBC's Chief Washington Correspondent from 2001. He remained in the USA until 2009 when he started working for the Today programme.
Come along to the Library at 1.15pm to hear his talk and ask him questions.