Aspire School Parliament 2024
As part of annual UK Parliament Week, on Thursday 21st November 29 pupils drawn from schools across the Aspire Academy Trust battled through snow, sleet and torrential rain to attend the second Aspire Schools' Parliament Day at County Hall. Morning workshops focussed on key skills including decision making and teamwork, voting and sustainability planning. The children were tasked in creating their own green village, building structures, and even holding a vote with Cornwall Council's elections team using official booths and ballot boxes. These sessions gave the children valuable insights into the democratic process and even potential future career paths.
The morning culminated in a healthy debate within the council chamber. They met two of Cornwall's MPs, Noah Law and Jayne Kirkham, as well as Cornwall Councillors James Mustoe (Mevagissey & St Austell Bay), Dick Cole (leader of Mebyon Kernow and elected member for St Dennis and St Enoder) and Thalia Marrington (Mousehole, Newlyn and St Buryan). The children asked thoughtful questions about being an MP or councillor, tackling topics like bins and council tax. Needless to say, the adults came under scrutiny with some extremely professional cross-examination!
The Aspire pupils represented Crowan Primary School, Tregolls Academy, Mawgan-in-Pydar Primary School, St Stephen Churchtown Academy, Summercourt Academy, Nansledan School, Probus Primary School and Sandy Hill Academy and all agreed that the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the different roles and activities that take place within local government had been an enlightening and enjoyable one!
On behalf of Aspire Academy Trust, Mark Harding, Y6 teacher & Assistant Head of School at Indian Queens Primary School, commented, "Inspiring young people to be active citizens and the belief democracy and local government is something they can actively participate in is at the heart of this event. It's so important to have School Parliaments and School Councils working together to shape the future of all the schools in our trust, and that critical pupil voice may also help County develop and shape positively impactful policies for young people in the here and now. Our sincere thanks go to all the Aspire schools and Council departments who have supported this initiative over the past couple of years, as well as to the MPs and councillors who give up their time to inspire children's interest in politics."
As the inclement weather prevented some Aspire schools in the east and north of the Duchy from attending, there will be another opportunity for these, and others in the trust, to attend on 6th March 2025.
Want to get your children involved with Cornwall Youth Council? Visit:
For Cornwall Council's press release, please click the link below:
Cornwall Council News - Schools' Parliament
To watch the fantastic video of the day that Cornwall Council put together, click the link below: