Meeting the thirteenth Doctor!

Mohamed A 7K & Russell 7Y 

On 17th of November 2019 Alperton Community School students from year 7 and 8 were chosen to go to the BFI Southbank to watch the premier of Doctor Who (Series 12), which was later to be broadcast on the BBC on New Year's Day. The students were amongst some of the first people to watch the premier with some other schools. This year is the new series of Doctor Who starring Jodie Whittaker in her second series playing the lead role. 

We were all really excited to head to Central London and took the train to BFI Southbank. One of the students said “I was really excited and surprised to be chosen”. Once the students arrived in the bustling city, some year 7s were jaw-dropped and amazed by what Central London was like as they were not expecting the city to be full and busy! For some, it was their first time visiting the Southbank. There were colossal buildings towering over them as their eyes were fixed on the city. As we walked along we came across cinemas, monuments, The London Eye and plenty of shops and restaurants. 

Whilst we waited for the premier to start we got to wander around the BFI Southbank building, take photos and some students eagerly contacted their families by text telling them what they had done so far. 

We then watched the amazing new Doctor Who episode. After, we were told there was going to be a press conference with a special guest to come and speak to us, but we weren’t told who straight away. 13 is an unlucky number for some, but clearly not for us! Once the episode had finished, we heard a familiar voice from behind the screen. It was none other than Jodie Whittaker! Everyone was so shocked to find out they were face to face with the Doctor! Whittaker then went onto the stage so we could ask her questions and also to some of the producers of the show about the episode and what will happen in the other episodes of series 12. 

On the way home we were still so excited about the trip but we couldn’t talk about it too loudly on the train as we were under embargo - which means we’re not allowed to tell anyone about it until it’s been broadcast on TV! However, now we can finally talk to all our friends about this amazing trip.