Recognition for schools that promote youth participation and democracy.

A new Award for schools that encourage pupils to take an interest in the democratic process is to today (Monday 23rd November) going to 19 schools who have been encouraging pupils to have their say in society – both within the school or through social action projects in the local community.

The Discovering Democracy Award, which was created to support the need to develop character as well as a strong grounding in core academic subjects, was launched by the British Youth Council in partnership with the Cabinet Office and the Department for Education in September. Secondary schools and colleges are being encouraged to apply for the Award in a new round of applications which ends of Monday 30thNovember 2015.

The Award aims to showcase those schools who engage young people, particularly those aged 16+, with democracy from an early age, whether that is voting for their representatives or  a school council, or voter registration, or getting involved in social action campaigns.

All awards will be judged by a panel of young people and will celebrate and share the success of schools and colleges that go further in equipping their students with the skills and knowledge to use their voice in our society.

Jon Foster, Chair of the British Youth Council said:  “The British Youth Council is delighted to highlight the great work of schools up and down the country. Schools are often the best place to offer the foundations to nature grassroots democracy and I’m realty excited to find so many schools leading the way!”

The following schools have been named as our first winners:

Award Winners
Corelli College Co-operative Academy
Xaverian College
Framingham Earl High School
Ormiston Sandwell Community  Academy
Lurgan College
Lumen Cristi College
Didcot Girls’ School
WoodRush High School
Chorlton High School
Haydon School
Q3 Academy
Babington Community College
Ormiston Chadwick Academy
Oasis Academy Media City UK
Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School
Ormiston Venture  Academy
Ormiston Denes  Academy
Great Sankey High School
Rastrick  High School

 

You can still apply for a Discovering Democracy Awards before Monday 30th November 2015.