Pupils from Valley Comprehensive, Serlby Park, Retford Oaks, Elizabethan High and Portland schools were chosen to take part as a thank you for all their hard work at school.

The four–day trip took the group to the Houses of Parliament where they took in the history of the building, before moving on to the Holocaust Education Trust, the British Banking Association, The Globe, and to the Premier League headquarters.

”I really enjoyed it,” said Ilona Galloway-Dutton, 15 from Valley School.

”It was a great experience. It was something you wouldn’t ever dream of doing. We went to the Treasury and it’s not open to people of our age.”

”Being a part of Parliament was an amazing experience. You would never think that people our age would be able to do that – we acted as business people and weren’t treated as children.

“We made connections for the future.”

Funded by EDF Energy and other sponsors, the trip was organised by Bassetlaw MP John Mann and gave students the opportunity to question Government ministers, business leaders and visit the 2012 Olympic site.

Mr Mann said the trip gave the youngsters a once in a lifetime insight into the Westminster village, the media and Britain’s decision makers and praised them for their maturity.

”I’ve heard nothing but praise from the politicians, entrepreneurs and journalists they encountered. Our young people did their families and Bassetlaw proud,” he said.