Junior democracy debate 2014

Youngsters from 52 local primary and special schools plan to put family matters first, as they took part in this year’s junior democracy in St Helens Town Hall.

The debate, organised by the council’s schools and lifelong learning and public health and well-being departments, encouraged Year 6 pupils from all over the borough to come together and develop ideas that are important to them in their schools and the community that was decided by way of vote.

Some of the points presented by the children, that caused a lively debate included; how to tackle bullying, supporting children with unique abilities and disabilities and helping children who find it difficult making friends.

With help from St Helens college students, the children discussed their ideas in teams by taking part in a workshop programme, before presenting their final projects in the council chamber in front of previous junior democracy participants, Alex Kain from Haydock High School, Amie Gayle of St Augustines and Poppy Wilkes from Hope Academy, who all chaired the debate.

Leading councillors, including the Mayor of St Helens Councillor, Geoff Pearl, helped to oversee the debates and voting.

St Helens Council’s cabinet member for schools and lifelong learning councillor Sue Murphy said: “It was great to see all pupils taking such a mature and responsible approach to the debates – working together to come up with measured, constructive solutions.”