In a week which saw negotiations for the UK’s departure from the European Union begin in Brussels, a major simulation saw students mirror the historic events at Loughborough College.
Theresa May, chief UK and EU negotiators David Davis and Michel Bernier and European Council President Donald Tusk were amongst key roles taken on by 20 Sixth Form students as the College became only the second education institution in the country to face the Freedom of Movement challenge – a project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
“The Prime Minister has declared that Brexit will involve limitations on the movement of EU nationals in the UK and our students became the main players on both sides who will negotiate the terms of this in real life,” said Gemma Lawrenson, Sixth Form Progress Tutor at Loughborough College.
“Their task was to look at European and British citizens who currently, or may wish in future, to live in the UK or another EU member state and to debate what rights they will have following Brexit.
“The simulation was led by Professor Helen Drake, a lecturer at Loughborough University who chairs UACES - the UK’s leading association for European Studies - and she was joined by representatives from the association as well as PhD students. They were all really impressed with our students and the realism of of the debate as well as the mature conclusions they reached.
“They could see the amount of research our students had put in ahead of the event by the level of knowledge they demonstrated and Jake Hallam was mentioned as having done particularly well in the tough role of moderator on behalf of the UK.”
Loughborough College Sixth Form student Jake said: “ It was challenging to take on the role of moderator Tim Barrow in the simulation but I enjoyed being in control of the group and keeping things fair. I really got a chance to develop my management and negotiation skills and I think that will help me in the future – I’m hoping to apply to do a Higher Apprenticeship in Business Management.”
Fellow College student Sacha Langdale-Smith found it was interesting to step into the shoes of the UK’s Chief negotiator. “In a debate scenario it is tempting to say what you personally think but I enjoyed having to maintain David Davis’s opinions – it certainly helped improve my confidence with public speaking.”
As EU Chief negotiator Michel Bernier, Loughborough College Sixth Form student Foli Popoola said it was helpful to look at things from an economic point of view: “It was great at giving me a better understanding of that, which was useful as I’m considering studying Economics at university.
“The simulation opened my eyes to how the relationship with the EU effects the day to lives of people, and how the impact of BREXIT could affect certain individuals.”
Pictured: (left to right) Loughborough College students Alec Swatton (Theresa May), Sacha Smith (David Davis) and Samiha Choudhury (Nicola Sturgeon) at the Brexit debate simulation