Hawley Woods School was honoured to welcome Lord Touhig for a visit this week. Lord Touhig has been a life peer since 2010, following his service as the Member of Parliament for Islwyn from 1995 to 2010.
With a keen interest in autism and in his role as Vice President of the National Autistic Society, Lord Touhig toured the school alongside Headteacher Hannah Stroud and Angela Nightingale, non-executive director and chair of the Safeguarding Committee. During his visit, he met with pupils and staff and learned more about the Kedleston approach to education.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly a lively question-and-answer session with our Year 8 pupils, who had spent time earlier in the week preparing a wide range of thoughtful questions. These covered topics such as politics, social issues, and personal interests.
Pupils were excited to gain insight into the day-to-day life of a Lord's work in Parliament, and their enthusiasm was met with warmth and candid reflections. Lord Touhig encouraged them to think deeply and engage with the world beyond school, offering inspiration and advice.
In a touching moment, the pupils invited Lord Touhig to become a pen pal, an invitation he graciously accepted.
Lord Touhig’s passion and dedication to advocating for autistic people were evident throughout his visit and left a lasting impression on everyone he met.