Jonathan Aitken talks to Dauntsey’s pupils about prison life
Dauntsey’s School has welcomed former MP Jonathan Aitken as part of its Mercers’ Lecture Series. A number of Sixth Form pupils joined Jonathan for conversation and dinner at the Headmaster’s house prior to his talk entitled, ‘Power, Prison and Learning from Failure’.
Jonathan’s career has spanned the worlds of books, newspapers, television, business, politics, Parliament, prison, theology, charitable service, prison reform and offender rehabilitation. Following a discussion with Sixth Forms pupils around Margaret Thatcher’s premiership, Jonathan spoke about how he came to terms with being the first MP ever to be imprisoned, describing his trial and explaining how a high profile member of society can be accepted in to prison life. He was honest, humorous and humble and revealed that he found relief through prayer, which consequently has helped him reform his post prison life.
The Mercers’ Lectures are named in recognition of the links between Dauntsey’s and the Mercers’ Company, which go back to Mercer founder Alderman William Dauntsey, Master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers, who founded the School in West Lavington in 1542.
For further information about Dauntsey’s School, go to http://www.dauntseys.org/ or follow us on Twitter at Dauntsey’s@DauntseysSchool