Carmel College’s Upper Sixth Politics students had the unique opportunity to combine classroom learning with real-world politics this week, becoming some of the first passengers to travel on the brand-new publicly run X3 bus service connecting St Helens with Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The students were joined on their journey by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Simon Lightwood MP, Minister for Local Transport, providing them with a fantastic opportunity to discuss public transport, devolution and politics directly with two key figures involved in shaping transport policy across the Liverpool City Region.

The journey provided a valuable opportunity for students to see first-hand how the political issues they study in the classroom can have a direct impact on their everyday lives and local communities.

For Carmel students, improved public transport links are particularly important, with many students relying on buses to travel to and from college.

Jenith, Upper Sixth Student Council Lead, said:

“The buses being more frequent and accessible will be a key benefit for the students of Carmel, as we rely on public transport to get to and from college.”

The new X3 service will also feature electric buses, an aspect which particularly appealed to students interested in environmental issues and sustainability.

Francesca, an Upper Sixth Politics student, said:

“A key feature of the new buses I love is the fact they will all be electric. As younger people, we care about the environment and we are glad these measures are being put into place.”

For the Politics students, the opportunity to speak directly with the Metro Mayor also provided an invaluable connection to their studies of devolution and the role of Metro Mayors.

Grace, an Upper Sixth Politics student, said:

“The conversations we had with the Mayor and Transport Minister will help me a lot with my studies of devolution in A Level Politics. It was great to hear directly from Steve about the devolved powers of Metro Mayors and the impact he has on local transport.”

The experience highlighted the importance of providing students with opportunities to engage with political leaders and understand how political decisions translate into practical changes within their communities.

At Carmel College, we are committed to giving students opportunities to take their learning beyond the classroom, helping them develop a deeper understanding of the political, social and environmental issues that affect their lives.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Simon Lightwood MP, Minister for Local Transport, for taking the time to speak with our students and for giving them the opportunity