The sixth form was visited in May 2006 by the former MP Tony Benn who delivered a speech on politics to sixth form students. Other guests who have visited the school include survivors of the Auschwitz concentration camp Leon Greenman and Josef Perl. Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visited the school in 1980 to present then headmaster Arthur Lingard with a medal recognizing the school's achievements. However, Thatcher had to leave early as the SAS stormed the Iranian Embassy later the same day.