Pupils from Hounslow got to do something Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn nearly missed out on last week - meet Barack Obama .
Sixth form students from Cranford Community College were among a select audience of 500 young people addressed by the US president at a town hall meeting in Westminster on Saturday (April 23).
He told the potential leaders of the future assembled in that room to "reject pessimism, cynicism and know that progress is possible".
Navneet Arura, Zahra Butt, Ali Aweis, Ubaid Rizvi and Nabila Hiyati - all sixth formers at Cranford Community College - were seated in the front row as the president delivered his message.
They got the chance to shake hands with Obama after he urged them to learn the art of compromise by seeking out those who don't share their views.
'Impressed by president's responses on gender equality'
Ali Aweis said: "I was fascinated by the way the president used body language to emphasise the points he made. His message was one of hope and to reject cynicism. I was inspired by his comments that change only comes about with struggle and discipline."
Navneet Arura said: "The president came across as incredibly charismatic and as a man of genuine integrity. He gave very good answers on a wide range of topics but it was his responses in favour of gender equality which particularly impressed me."
The school, in High Street, Cranford , was invited by the US ambassador to select five of its young leaders for the privilege of a private meeting with the president.
School's 'special relationship' with the US
It has its own "special relationship" with the US, which has seen students given the chance to meet the ambassador at the embassy, in his home and during a visit to the school .
On Monday (April 25), 15 "young leaders" from the school met the ambassador again to follow up the points raised at the president's town hall meeting.
Executive headteacher Kevin Prunty said: "The five young leaders will remember this exceptional opportunity for the rest of their lives and we believe these types of opportunities will motivate and inspire our students, as well as significantly enhancing their future prospects."
At one stage it had appeared Jeremy Corbyn would not meet Obama during his stay on these shores, but the two eventually enjoyed what the former described as an "excellent" 90-minute discussion on Saturday.
