b'ShapingOn Wednesday 25th September,economic backgroundits not what you Handsworth Grammar School welcomedknow, its who you know. Therefore, Michelle Michelle Heeley KC from No5 Barristerssubverting this through strengthening her futureChambers to give an inspiring andinterpersonal skills and constantly pushing informative talk to students about routesthe boundary was a testament to her into law. Her extensive background in theunwavering passion and drive to succeed. aspirations field of criminal law, paired with her authenticFurther into the talk, Michelle provided grasp of the difficulties aspiring lawyers face,powerhouse analogies and quotes such as made for a thriving discussion in which everyIts not for anyone else to limit you! which student could relate. to me boosts the morale and confidence of students and any readers of this piece to We began with Michelle providing insight Visit from into her early life and the hardships she hadbecome pioneers in their own destiny.to overcome. She highlighted the feeling ofThe visit also allowed our fellow students Michelle Heeley KC being uninformed compared to her peersfrom Handsworth Girls to participate which based on her circumstances. I believe thiswas a special interaction given that Michelle was an important issue to touch uponwas previously a member. The talk ended given the lack of transparency the law oftenin an immersive Q&A which as a cohort has, especially coming from a low social- allowed us to engage in debates regarding morality, the rise of AI and the ethics of a barrister. A personal highlight of mine was the discussion of Mason Greenwoods case which allowed me to expand my knowledge on the indictable offence of rape and whether the law currently achieves justice due to its constraints.Overall, to witness Michelle Heeley KC unlock the potential of the new generation and bestow her wealth of knowledge onto her community was an amazing opportunity that I believe will undoubtably shape students future aspirations.Makonnen Blake, Year 13TRIP TO SHREWSBURY SCHOOLKing Edward VI Handsworth GrammarThis was then followed by a studentRosado of Harvard and Will Kenyon of School for Boys was delighted toteam debate on the motion reflecting thePwC. This Question Time event was attend Shrewsbury Schools Economicsconference theme. The teams comprisedchaired by Mr Zafar of Shrewsbury School Conference 2025. The theme of thestudents from Shrewsbury School and theas he managed a healthy discussion conference asked the question whetherother schools that attended. The audience,controlling and directing questions from our Free Markets are Doomed to Fail. Wewho were gripped by the debatersstudents.attended alongside 60 young economistsarguments and enthusiastic with theirThroughout the day Handsworth Grammar from four schools, and the auditoriumquestions for the debaters, had the finalSchool students provided the panel was filled with a buzz of excitement andsay, voting for the winning team for theand audience with amazingly insightful anticipation. proposing motion. questions on the use of AI, youth We were extremely glad to hear from DrIn the afternoon, we heard from two moreemployment and world politics related to Christopher Snowdon (Head of Lifestylevisiting speakers who joined Dr Snowdonthe theme of the conference itself. All in Economics at the Institute of Economicand Councillor Dean to form a panel fromall, this day proved to be both extremely Affairs) and Julian Dean (Councillor forall across the political spectrum to answerinformative and enjoyable for all attending.Shropshire Council) as keynote speakers.and debate questions posed by students.Daniyal Mehmood, Year 12They kicked the conference off withShrewsbury School welcomed Sterlingpassionate speeches arguing diametrically opposed perspectives.42'