WE are all familiar with electing local politicians – and students at a Tameside secondary school have been taking part in an election of their own.
Four students put themselves forward but only one could be voted the new Student President at Denton Community Academy.
The quartet gave presentations and held hustings events in school, before all pupils at the Taylor Lane establishment took part in a voting day where a polling station was set up with ballot boxes, voting cards and private booths.
The candidates also gave speeches at an inauguration event, where guests included their families, the Civic Mayor of Tameside Councillor Betty Affleck and local dignitaries, and representatives from the Northern Education Trust that the school is part of.
The winner was Maisey Lee, while the runners-up were Isabel Boardman, Florence Ingram and Alfie Prescott.
The four candidates chair some of the seven ‘student voice’ committees that involve over 50 students and the Student President will meet every week with the school’s Principal, Donald Cumming.
“I am so proud of all the students who are active in the student voice committees, which work on projects such as sustainability, diversity and working with charities,” said Maire Quinn, the school’s Student Voice lead.
“To watch the candidates run their presidential campaigns alongside each other has been inspiring, not least to see them stand up and confidently make a speech to 260 of their peers.
“I know that our new Student President will do a wonderful job – and the other candidates will continue their outstanding contributions to our school community.”
Dean Buckley, Executive Principal at the Northern Education Trust, commented: “Student voice is a key cog in the decision-making process in every NET academy. Students learn how a democratic system works from an early age and they develop skills in public speaking, decision-making and listening to one another’s ideas.”