A key figure in Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign took sixth formers on a journey through international diplomacy at Battersea’s Harris Academy last Thursday.

United States ambassador to the UK, Matthew Barzun, asked students to consider America’s role in world affairs and the special relationship shared between the US and the UK.

Keen to connect with schools in the Battersea area ahead of the 2017 opening of the new US embassy in Nine Elms, Mr Barzun also awarded two embassy coins to the academy’s head girl and boy, Niamh Gallagher and Arym Marnilego.

Assistant principal at Harris Academy, Joe Ambrose, said it was a very thought-provoking seminar.

He said: "It was great that our sixth formers were able to showcase their own perceptions and insights in response to the ambassador’s presentation."