On Thursday 17th September, we marked Democracy Day 2020 at Colsterworth Primary School. Normal proceedings could not go ahead and things had to be changed this year! Due to school’s social distancing measures, we were sadly not able to turn the hall into our polling station for the day; however we managed to overcome this by keeping our bubbles separated and we voted in our classrooms instead. We started this important day with a virtual collective worship reminding ourselves all about the core British Values – democracy in particular – and the importance of everyone having the right to have their voices heard. We take great pride at Abbey Academies in our democratic election process, which enables every child to vote for their chosen representatives who will form the Student Council for the year ahead, and were happy to be able to complete this process.
On Tuesday 21st September, amid great excitement, the results of this year’s elections were announced in a special virtual assembly and the successful candidates were awarded their certificates, books and badges.
Student council co-ordinator, Mrs Helliwell, said; “Every year the children who want to stand for council, confidently put forward their manifestos and take the democratic process very seriously. Every year, gives me great pleasure to see how respectful all the children are and this year was no different. To see their democratic right put into practice and the rights of every child in school to have a voice is relevant; it is a life skill that they will use in their future. It was important to us that our election happened even in these strange times this year – with all the necessary tweaks required! We are so proud of the way the children have adapted to the changes in the process and they took everything in their stride.”
As a Rights Respecting School, it is a key foundation to have a student voice. UNICEF’s Rights of the Child Charter, article 12 states, ‘Every child has the right to be listened to and for their views to be taken seriously.’ The Student Council plays an active role in decision-making at our school and we are excited to see what new suggestions are brought to our socially-distanced Student Council meetings this year!