British Values: Democracy

To ensure young people understand the importance of respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain, schools promote the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.
Our General Election Day has given Year 6 an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process. Year 4 and 5 have been involved as voters — anyone over the age of 9 was eligible to register to vote. Year 6 presented their policies and took questions from the audience of voters.

Y6 Election Day Process

• Roles for the day were drawn from the 'hat' — administration team or one of the four parties
• Roles were outlined by Mrs Chesters
• The Administration team divided their roles between Registrars; Polling Station Manager; Polling Officer; Chief Counter; Returning Officer
• The parties decided up on their candidates
• Parties were given twelve policy cards to choose three key policies to campaign for, this provoked lots of interesting discussions! Posters were made, promoted around school and speeches were written
• Meanwhile the Administration team were preparing for voter registration, creating a ballot box, making poll cards, preparing the polling station with signs and poll booths
• Year 6 decided that the voting age would be 9 years — anyone 9 or over would be able to vote if registered
• At 10.30 Year 4 and 5 came to listen to the party speeches and ask questions — some create questions were posed!
• At break voter registration took place and from this poll cards were filled in with voter details
• Campaign time! The parties campaigned around school
• Polls opened 12.30; after an initial crowd there was a steady stream of voters until the polls closed at 1pm
• 1.15pm we all gather to watch (from a distance) the count; the ballot box seals were broken and the votes counted. This included postal votes from staff who were unable to vote over lunchtime.
• After a count, and a recount, we were ready to hear the results!
• All the candidates were gathered together to hear how many votes they had.
  If you want to see the results click here.