As the public prepared to head to the polls on 4th July, Melksham Oak Community School’s Year 12 students were given a chance to experience the highs and lows of party politics for themselves with a mock election.
Over a three-month campaign period, students researched the manifestos of the main political parties and discussed the pros and cons of each as part of their tutor programme.
Despite being too young to cast their votes in the general election, 55 students headed to the polls in a mock election designed to closely replicate the real-life voting experience. A polling station was set up in the sixth form block where students completed their polling cards, showed their ID to volunteers and made their choice on the ballot card before posting it into the sealed box.
Votes were then counted by students Ollie, Chloe and Evie before the results were announced. The Green Party came out on top with 17 votes and a 31% vote share. Labour and the Liberal Democrats came in joint second place with 11 votes each, Reform came third with 10 votes and the Conservative Party came last with 6 votes.
Eleanor Southall, the school’s head of social sciences said, “It was a great event and fantastic to see our Year 12 students so enthusiastic and excited about politics. In the next general election, these students will be casting their votes for real so this mock election has been a really useful exercise in helping them to better understand the process and the importance of political engagement.”
Haris Hussain, the school’s principal, added, “At Melksham Oak we aim to fully prepare our young people for their lives ahead, including their roles as active citizens. This mock election was a great example of that. It not only gave the students valuable insight into the political process but it was also a fun and engaging activity that allowed them to feel part of last week’s important moment in UK history.”
Pictured: Students voting
