The views of students in a Watford sixth form will be shared with US president Barack Obama.

The American ambassador to the UK Matthew Barzun visited Watford Grammar School for Boys to lead a discussion on what issues the students were important to them.

The ambassador explained that the results of the WBGS student feedback will be collated and shared with the US President.

Using interactive clicker buttons, the session began with students voting on their perceptions of the US.

The majority of students had visited the US and said they would consider going to the US to live, work or study.

The ambassador asked the students for their opinions on which foreign policy issue was most important to them: 36 per cent said the Middle East and 36 per cent said international terrorism.

Climate change was also received 16 per cent of the student vote.

When asked what concerns the students had about the US they said military expenditure, guns, Guantanamo Bay and the involvement of the US in international relations.

Other topics the students discussed included healthcare, foreign policy since WW2, interventionism, the US Constitution and international trade.

The ambassador was impressed with the students’ knowledge about US history and politics and he thanked them for their feedback.

He finished his visit by asking students to highlight what they liked most about the US and student responses included the US film industry, research and development, US influence and the many opportunities available in the US.

Ian Cooksey, WBGS headmaster, said: “We are truly grateful for the visit of Mr Barzun. He was able to engage with the students who had the opportunity for real dialogue with the US Ambassador and they were able to express their views at the very highest level.”