On Friday 19 June, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, came for a visit to our school to find out about our PSE lessons.Outside reception, a line of students from all years stood, waving Union Jacks to greet our visitors; the couple moved along the line, talking to the students as they passed and, followed by a train of security, other visitors and some school staff, they headed to The Gateway to watch a PSE lesson. “StraightTalking,” a company that aims to educate teenagers about what it’s like to be a teen parent, came to teach two lessons. Before The Prince and Countess entered the Gateway, they saw an activity, where the students had to figure out a way of carrying a pram, a baby (doll) and a shopping bag up the stairs, without “injuring” the baby, which is actually quite tricky.After having seen part of two PSE lessons, they moved on to see what the students currently taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme had been up to – there was a display which Mrs Gore and Miss Telfer showed the Prince around and some students talked to him about what they do. His attention was instantly drawn to the dark, but eye-catching sculpture, made by a student, which was placed on the table. Mrs Gore explained that it was used as the skills part of the award.Throughout the visit, the Royal couple were accompanied by Personal Protection Officers. I met Prince Edward’s and he explained to me a bit about his job. Basically, he works for the Metropolitan Police and after training (including weapons training, and training with cars), he was assessed and assigned to the Prince. He works with the Royals and “creates a world of no surprises”. He must stay near the assigned person most of the time.  However, they are together so much of the time that he tries to give Prince Edward his space, but still keep an eye on him. He said that it’s important to get on well with the person you are looking after, and after three years, he is still employed, so isn’t doing too badly!Another important person in the smooth running of the day was the Assistant Private Secretary, Suzanne. She was involved in walking the course of where the guests would be going and liaising with the school. I asked what she thought of the “StraightTalking” lessons and she thought they were “good” and “educational;” she thought it was great that the teenage parents could tell their stories and she believed, “you can never know too much.”Before leaving the Gateway, Harry Harrison showed the Prince his beautiful snake, which the Prince agreed was very pretty.I asked a few people what they thought of the Prince and Countess. Chris Atkinson said, “I spoke to him, he’s a nice person,” George Bright agreed with this and Mrs Gore thought “It was nerve wracking, but he’s an extremely nice man and I’m thrilled to have met him.”Hilary Pannack, the Chief Executive and founder of “StraightTalking” was telling me a bit about her company. They employ 65 teen parents, who go in to schools and run a course on what it’s like to be a teen parent. While discussing some costs per year, she checked to see if the potted plant next to me is real or not. Hilary said that she thinks “Teen parents are experts to pass on their experience,” and that 95% of the teen parents she has worked with have had their confidence built up again and are now going to training and employment.Overall, the visit was interesting for everyone – Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie learned about our PSE lessons and we saw how the Royals were surprisingly similar to us – “You don’t have to act posh around them, it’s just like talking politely to any adult” commented Josh Goldie, and once again, the Union Jacks were waving as the couple were leaving.

By Tara Crank, 10H