Best of order for school on Speaker’s shortlist

AN Oldham school has made it to the final of a House of Commons competition searching for the most effective school council projects.

Mills Hill Primary in Chadderton is one of five finalists in the age seven to 11 category of the Speaker’s School Council Awards.

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow launched the scheme to recognise the most inspiring and engaging achievements of school councils across the UK. He said the nature of school council work — which involves elected young people working on behalf of their fellow pupils — embodied many of the principals of Parliament.

Mr Bercow said: “I have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and confidence with which young people are working to improve their schools and the environment around them.

“The sheer number of entries and the high standard of nominated projects made the shortlisting process especially difficult.”

Mills Hill are up against schools from Hull, York, Littlehampton and North York. They beat off strong competition to secure a place in the 20 shortlist with more than 2,000 entries across all age groups being submitted.

Representatives from the school will now attend the awards ceremony at Speaker’s House, in the Commons next Wednesday when the winner of each age category will be announced.

The award scheme was open to every primary school, secondary school and college in the country and Mr Bercow hopes it will become a highly-prized annual award. The judges looked for student councils that enhanced their school’s relationship with the community or the environment, or in the areas of democracy, engagement, learning and teaching. Entries included projects to make schools more sustainable and environmentally friendly, events to stamp out bullying, campaigns to challenge stereotypes and schemes to work with and advise local councils.

The winning school will receive a small cash prize to invest in their school council project. The competition is run by Parliament’s Education Service, which works with schools and Members of the Commons and the Lords to support young people in developing their understanding of Parliament and democracy.