Mr McLoughlin and Miss McClelland (Head of Politics) welcomed First Minister Arlene Foster to the Academy and thanked her for taking the time to chat at length with the Sixth Form students.  Mrs Foster met A Level Politics students to answer questions about her political career over many years of service to the Northern Ireland community.

The First Minister spoke passionately about the challenges of political leadership and praised the students for their resilience during such a difficult year.  Mrs Foster answered questions from the students covering a range of topical subjects, not least the effects of the current pandemic on school life, their university prospects and the future opportunities in Northern Ireland and further afield.  They were extremely grateful for the opportunity to talk in such an open forum with such a distinguished guest.  Mr McLoughlin echoed the sentiments expressed by the First Minister that the energy and optimism of the next generation should give us all hope and positivity for our future.