DARLINGTON students have been to the heart of American politics.

A group of politics students from the town’s Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College took their studies a step further by travelling to Washington DC.

A tour of Congress allowed the 21 A-level students to get a first hand impression of political structures in the USA.

They learned about key moments in American political history from the seat of power, hearing about the civil rights movement from the spot where Martin Luther King Jr delivered his ‘I have a dream’ speech.

The students sat in a session of the House of Representatives and visited the Supreme Court before meeting a peace protestor outside the White House who spoke of a 34-year sit-in.

Their tour of Washington’s political sites was enjoyed alongside sight-seeing that included visits to iconic sites like the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

Student Sophie Bailli said the trip had been a once in a life time experience which put her college course into perspective.

Lecturer Dominic McArdle, who accompanied the group, said: “The students had a fantastic insight into American politics and they loved the city - many plan to return.

“The politicians that we met were really impressed with their questions and background knowledge.

“It has been an invaluable learning experience.”