Pupils staged their own EU referendum

Everyone connected with St Mary’s Catholic High School has been actively involved in testing their political skills .

Although pupils at the Royal Avenue school are too young to vote, they staged their own mini referendum and the results did not mirror the national view.

The whole school was involved in the project, which culminated in a mass vote on Thursday– with every person having their say.

In a busy run-up to the mock election, hustings took place including assemblies containing mock debates among staff and pupils, with them sharing their views in form time, taking home flyers to discuss with parents and filling out ballot papers.

Newly elected senior prefects counted the votes after school on Thursday – in real-life conditions – and the result was announced across school on the tannoy on Friday morning.

The whole project sparked a mass of interest and was coordinated by newly appointed assistant headteacher Laura Pilling, who said it was great success.

Each of the four year groups- and the staff- voted separately, with all returning a resounding Remain verdict.

Izzy Bates said: I really enjoyed the voting and learning about the referendum. It was good to get my voice heard in some way because I’m too young to vote. I’m pleased with the school result but angry at the national result. It’s not fair that our future is getting decided by older people.”

Lucy Wright added: “I enjoyed getting to voice my views and I learnt to go with my own opinions and not let other people’s views influence my own. I do not agree with the schools’ vote result and I’m so happy with the national result as it’s the best for my family, who are successful business people.”

Chelsea McDougall said she enjoyed the referendum work in school, and added: “I learnt about the pros and cons from each side of the debate.

“I was happy with the national outcome as it’s what my family wanted.”

Eleanor Crook felt it created tension between friends who disagreed.