Local MP John Healey has been helping to teach Thurnscoe pupils all about democracy.

As the new term gets underway youngsters at Gooseacre Primary Academy are getting ready to vote for a new school council team.

In preparation John called in to speak to students in Year 3 and 4 to help them understand how democracy works in Britain and recognise the impact it has on their lives.

John said…

“You’ve got 6, 7 and 8 year olds here at Goosecare wanting to find out how decisions are made and how democracy works – that’s great.

“It’s fine to have an MP talk about what goes off in Parliament but when you can make the connection saying I get my job the same way that you’ll get your job on the school council, you can see the penny drop sometimes.

“I hope that talking to youngsters about my role as an MP for the area will help encourage more pupils to come forward, join the school council and be able to make decisions on what matters to their classmates”

Year 3 and 4 teacher Jenifer McIntyre said…

“We wanted John to come in and talk with our children about democracy and how that impacts on the community.

“We want our children to take ownership of their learning and of the things that happen in school and the decisions that are made to benefit them.

“The election process gets the class thinking about what matters and the attributes they need to be a school councillor”

Pupils will now be deciding if they want to stand and writing a manifesto before the school council election is held later in the term.