As the country goes to the polls in a snap general election, pupils at Rydal Penrhos will be getting involved, experiencing democracy first hand with their own Mock Election on Wednesday, December 11.

Mock Elections actively engage pupils with the democratic process and show how politics affects their everyday lives.

Each pupil involved will gain hands-on insight into how the election works as they run for office, create manifestos, canvass support, design campaign posters and literature and cast their votes.

Sixth Form pupils will be delivering campaign speeches to the whole school and taking part in debates. Others will organise the election – registering voters, preparing the polling station, and counting the ballot papers.

The 2019 Mock Election involves pupils across the entire school; with the Sixth Form running for office, campaigning for all parties: Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green, Plaid Cymru and the Brexit Party.

Polling day is December 11 and the results will be counted and announced on the day of the UK General Election.

It is vital that our pupils learn the importance of politics and the impact on their daily lives; we are extremely proud to provide such a useful experience for our pupils, some of whom will be voting for the very first time in the 2019 UK General Election.

This Mock Election gives pupils an understanding of the electoral system, the political climate of the UK and vital public speaking and leadership skills.

Sixth Formers will also be meeting with all official party candidates from our constituency over the next few weeks for Q&A sessions and to ensure that they have the best understanding of issues affecting our locality as the UK heads to the polls.

Mrs Leah Crimes

Head of Sixth Form and Mock Election co-ordinator