The US ambassador to the UK visited Cranford Community College this week to praise students for helping preserve the 'special relationship' between the two countries.
Matthew Barzun was at the school on Wednesday (December 3) as part of the 'Conversations with America' programme to foster trans-Atlantic links.
He is the latest in a series of diplomats and political commentators to visit the school as part of the initiative and talk about issues affecting those in both nations.
He spoke to sixth form students about topics ranging from the space programme to tensions in Ferguson, Missouri, where an unarmed black teenager was shot dead by a police officer.
Student Abrar Al-Habtari said: "It was great to meet the US ambassador and have the opportunity for him to explain why the US behaves the way it does. It was useful to understand the influences that help shape US foreign policy."
Mr Barzun ended his visit by presenting US embassy medals to students Gugandeep Banga and Kheshraw Hashemi in recognition of their contribution to the 'Conversations with America' scheme.
Gugandeep, who has won a place reading sciences and English at New York University, headed straight from the presentation to attend an interview in Abu Dhabi for a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship.
Earlier this week, students from Cranford Community College met Prince Charles and Camilla during a visit to Sky's offices in Osterley.
