Campaigning Is Underway For The Christ College Mock Election

Pupils at Christ College have certainly been getting into the Election mood over the last few weeks with some of those in Year M10 upwards having volunteered to be party leaders representing the main six parties campaigning in the General Election. The school now has six party leaders, with each candidate also having a small, self-appointed communications team who are helping them to plan their campaign and write their speeches.

Christ College will be holding an Election Special Assembly on May 5th where each candidate will have 3 minutes to speak to the whole school. The rules are that from then, they have until Thursday to campaign and that campaigning is not allowed before this or on Election Day.

The polling station will be open from 8am and then closed at 7 on May 7th. The Electoral roll for school will include all staff, not just teachers as well as youngest pupils in our Junior Section, St Nicholas House. Pupils in the Alway House and St Nicholas House will be voting at specified times and will be escorted, it will be up to others to vote in their free time but not during lessons.

Votes will be counted in the Neuadd in the evening followed by a formal announcement of the winner. Some of the candidates have already met with the ‘real’ candidates representing the Brecon and Radnor constituency to receive expert mentoring. Candidates have also been to watch real Hustings in Brecon and analysed the strengths and weaknesses of their performances.

The election coverage has been led by Mrs Ros Sandhu as the whole school explores issues linked to the General Election through its PSE programme . The aim is, broadly speaking, twofold. Firstly, to engage pupils in the democratic process so they will fully value their right to vote as a they grow up. Secondly, to improve overall political literacy and help pupils to understand the processes and vocabulary associated with an election (e.g looking at the Magna Carta and the origins of Parliament, different systems of voting. – first past the post, Proportional Representation, referendums).

So, as well as keeping a keen eye on who will be forming the next UK Government on the 7th May, watch this space to see who wins the Christ College Brecon Mock Election – you may be surprised!