Three Kingsbury Green Academy pupils have been elected to coveted positions on Wiltshire Youth Council to represent the views and interests of young people in the county.
Year 8 pupil Dan and Year 7 pupil George have won positions as Youth Councillors, with fellow Year 7 Alicja sitting as Deputy Representative.
Wiltshire Youth Council gives young people the chance to have their say on decisions that are made by the local authority. The area boards have funding allocated for projects for young people.
Youth councillors will be helping to allocate money to such projects that are important to them and their peers. They will also have the chance to inspect council services, ensuring that these represent young people’s best interests.
A total of six pupils from Years 7 to 10 ran for a seat on Wiltshire Youth Council, with each presenting a manifesto on the issues that they identify as important to them and their peers, and what they would focus on achieving as part of Wiltshire Youth Council. They identified as issues that are important to them and their community, including litter, bullying and making the area greener.
Dan and George will now start attending the monthly Wiltshire Youth Council meetings, holding their seats for a year until March 2025. Each full youth council meeting will have a guest invited who will seek the Youth Councillors’ views on important topics such as environmental issues, transport, or mental health.
The members of Wiltshire Youth Council will have a say in how policy at Wiltshire Council is shaped and will advise on how money is spent for young people and advocating for young people where they live.
Jason Tudor, Principal at Kingsbury Green Academy, said, “Sitting on Wiltshire Youth Council is an amazing opportunity to develop confidence and leadership skills, as well as see the difference that every person can make to their community, no matter their age.
“George and Dan will be great representatives for the county as they are both very determined and community-minded, and with support from Alicja the Kingsbury Green Academy Youth Councillors will be a force to be reckoned with!”
Kingsbury Green Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust. For more information, visit www.kingsburygreenacademy.com