The ballot boxes were out this week as the School Council was chosen in an election scheduled to coincide with Local Democracy Week.

As well as casting their votes, Year 9 students spent the day in a series of workshops designed around the democracy theme and Councillors from Cornwall Council and St Austell Town Council joined in the activities.

Local Democracy is a national campaign designed to encourage young people to take an interest in the issues that affect them and their local community, and Poltair's Head Teacher Stephen Tong is a strong supporter;

"Pupils are at secondary school for 900 days, and it is up to us to help them during that time to develop from 11 year old children into the citizens of the future".

The pupils took part in a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire style Ask The Audience quiz, as well as using negotiation and democracy skills to navigate across a ‘toxic swamp' and grilling the Councillors in political speed dating.

Councillor Brian Palmer, Mayor of St Austell Town Council, was eager to take part;

"I attended last year's event and jumped at the chance to be involved again.  It is exciting to see young people getting involved in local democracy"

The young people were particularly impressed with the ceremonial ‘bling' in the shape of the Mayor's 100 year old ceremonial chain of office.

At the end of the day the pupils who had taken on the role of returning officers announced the results of the school council election. One of the first tasks the new council will be involved in will be the appointment to a senior position on the teaching staff.

The event was organised in partnership by the school and Cornwall Council's localism service.  Steve Foster, Community Network Area for St Austell, confirmed that the pupil's involvement it doesn't stop here.

"In a few weeks times we'll be inviting some of the pupils down to the one stop shop to discus their ideas with local Cornwall and Town Councillors, to see which ones they can take forward."

Newly elected members of the School Council:

Year 7

Jack Crocker

Chelsea Payton

Year 8

Brandon Trudgeon

Jules Sumner

Year 9

Brooke Whetter

Joe Bishop

Yaer 10

Oli Elston

Conner Pearce

Year 11

Josh Shepperd

Bea Tucker