Speaker unveils awards scheme to boost interest in democratic values
Wednesday 24 February 2010 House of Commons Speaker John Bercow today launched a groundbreaking new initiative, the Speaker’s School Council Awards Scheme, designed to boost interest among students in democratic values.
The scheme, which will be run by Parliament’s Education Service, will recognise the achievements of school councils, particularly where they have made a difference to a school or local community or to the environment.
Speaker Bercow has sent out a letter to every head teacher in the UK informing them of the new awards scheme with details of how to sign up.
School councils and their coordinators can then register for the initiative nominating their most effective, engaging and ambitious project.
A carefully selected panel of experts will judge the shortlisted finalists who will then be invited to an award ceremony at the House of Commons presided over by the Speaker where the winners of the four categories, infant, primary, secondary and sixth form will be announced.
Speaker Bercow said: “It is clear to me that young people often first experience democratic values and practices through their school councils. As Speaker of the House of Commons, the institution sits at the heart of our democracy. I want to acknowledge this link by recognising and rewarding the achievements of school councils.”
A number of students spoke at the launch event at the House of Commons, including primary pupils from Camden, talking about the rules they developed for playing in the playground, and secondary and 6th form students from Reading who have developed a student conference to encourage pupil voice and input into the development of their school.
Further information
For media enquiries please contact: Laura Kibby tel: 0207 219 0718 e-mail: kibbyl@parliament.uk
More information about the Speaker’s School Council Awards Scheme can be found at on the Parliamentary YouTube Channel.
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Parliament’s Education Service works with schools and Members of both Houses of Parliament to support young people in developing their understanding of Parliament and democracy. Its services are free and have been designed to support the political literacy and citizenship education requirements of the national curricula in the United Kingdom.
www.parliament.uk/education/