While the rest of the Nation was voting for Parliamentary candidates, the pupils at St Francis Primary School in Caterham had a 100% turn out for their school elections.

Year 6 children had put their parties forward for election by campaigning for an idea that would have an impact on all the children at the school.

The three parties’ (Minty Mangoes, Eco Greens and the Pupils’ Democratic Society) ideas included a Fairtrade Fruit and Ice-lolly shop, an inter-class fruit and vegetable growing competition and a Forest Day in the school grounds.

A fortnight of campaigning started with the Year 6’s presenting their ideas to the school and was followed up with campaigning via posters, hustings and stickers to the school electorate.

The campaigning came to a climax on the day of the General Election, when all the children and staff were given a polling card and entered polling booths to cast their votes.

The whole experience electrified the pupils and engaged them in the wider democratic process, which teachers followed up in class.  

Ada said: "It was fun because we could be politicians and the pupils got the opportunity to be adults and to have their voice heard.”

Parents also commented on the fact that the process opened up many discussions about the General Election at home.

One mother said:  “It really taught them to understand the complexities of British Politics at a basic level, to the point where they were desperate to know the outcome and how many seats each party achieved.” 

The winning party was the PDC who offered a Forest Day and now plan to have a day of bush crafts and outside activities for the whole of the school before the end of term.