James visits 10 Downing Street
James from Oak Class had the honour of visiting the Prime Minister, David Cameron, at 10 Downing Street last week. James was one of 10 winners of a competition run by the children's newspaper First News. The prize was a visit to Downing Street and an audience with the Prime Minister himself. James also had the unexpected surprise of meeting the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne. No doubt an experience that James will never forget and we are very proud of his achievements.
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James's Competition Entry Video
The Day I met the Prime Minister
On Wednesday 20th April 2016, I went to 10 Downing Street and met David Cameron the Prime Minister. I had won a competition in the children’s newspaper “First News” to meet the Prime Minister and have a tour of his very famous house. To win, I had to send in a video of myself – no longer than 60 seconds in length – with what I would say to David Cameron if I ever met him. As the competition was for First News’ tenth anniversary there were ten spaces to be won.
On the day, I met up with the other nine winners outside the gates to Downing Street. I was very excited. We had to go through security (an ID check and baggage x-ray) then we walked up Downing Street to the big, black door. We went inside and the first thing I noticed was that the corridor, in front of me, seemed endless. We walked down the corridor and up the stairs past the pictures of all the previous Prime Ministers. Then we walked down another couple of corridors, through a kitchen and into the State Dining room. It was like the Tardis, a little house on the outside but enormous on the inside. We were shown around and saw the Green Room, Terracotta Room and Small Dining Room. The rooms were all very grand and we were told that some of the doors did not go anywhere as the architect who had designed the rooms was very keen on symmetry so he added false doors to make it look good. Finally we were taken into the White Room where we met the Prime Minister.
He was really tall and very friendly. He asked us all where we went to school and answered our questions. I asked him how it would affect me personally if we left the EU. He spoke to me about how it may be harder to go to universities and study in different countries if we left. It was amazing and unbelievable to meet him. Even when I was sat right next to him I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. On our way out we were even lucky enough to meet Larry, the official Downing Street Cat.
After all that excitement I didn’t think the day could get any better. But when we were leaving a large jeep with flashing lights pulled up and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, got out. He came over and spoke to us all as well. He was really nice and we had our photo taken with him outside his house, number 11 Downing Street.
It was the best day ever and I will never forget it.
