Barry Comprehensive School

Barry Comprehensive School pupils joined in the Vale Local Democracy Week campaign last week. The campaign, which is linked with the European Local Democracy Week, is about residents, the Vale Council and local organisations working together to change our community for the better.

On Wednesday 12 October, the school welcomed a host of Vale Councillors and officials to a ‘Question Time’ event where pupils from all year groups were able to express their views, concerns, ideas and put those burning questions directly to the decision makers in the Vale.
A major part of Local Democracy Week is the opportunity for pupils to vote for their Vale Youth Champion. The current Youth Champion, Councillor Chris Elmore, is standing down following his successful year and Councillors Richard Bertin, Sophie Williams, Rob Curtis and Chris Williams are competing to become the new Vale Youth Champion.

The V-POD, a single-decker bus specially converted to deliver activities and services for young people in the Vale, was also at the school all day. On board, pupils could watch the Councillors’ video manifestos, talk directly to some Councillors, Police Officers and council representatives before making up their minds and casting their vote.

Pupils have already exercised their democratic powers inside school voting for their School Council representatives and the Vale Youth Champion elections has given them the chance to be involved in decision making at a county level.