- In groups, pupils could decide what qualities and skills they would want somebody representing their views to have, eg listening skills, communication skills, organisational skills, leadership skills, honesty, and feed back as a class.
- If the school has a student council, ask each group to review: how the council members are selected; whom each member represents, eg one class, the year group; and how accountable the council is to the rest of the pupils in the school.
- Ask pupils to discuss ways to run a fair student council election and campaign. They should agree on how to select representatives, how to deal with bias, the role of the school magazine/newspaper in the campaign, and what to do in the event of a draw. Should electoral observers and a returning officer be appointed?
- Pupils could then discuss and agree on the criteria for voting in a school election, eg should anyone not be able to vote? Make reference to the age at which people can vote in general elections and that those under 18 are excluded. Pupils also discuss the merits of different voting systems, and discuss the terms 'relative majority', 'transferable voting', 'tactical voting' and 'first past the post'.
- Pupils take on a range of roles in helping to plan the election, eg carrying out research into voting systems and how elections are organised; planning and taking part in assemblies to raise awareness; producing campaign material (discuss what the electorate needs to know); researching and producing reports for the school magazine/newspaper (how is media coverage of real elections provided?).
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- are aware of the democratic processes in place within the school, and compare these with the ones used in local and national elections
- describe the leadership qualities needed in different settings and circumstances. They contribute to the organisation of student elections, accepting more responsibility as they progress through the school
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