Pocklington Parliament declared a success

Posted by System Administrator on 05 Jun 2018

Modified by System Administrator on 23 May 2024

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The Pocklington School Parliament (PSP) is now in summer recess after a year of engagement and debate which helped students learn about parliament and political process.

Thirty MPs, representing the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Parties along the lines of the UK 2017 general election result, were selected from across the School to debate current issues along parliamentary party lines. They also hosted cabinet and shadow cabinet meetings, held surgeries and produced Party posters.

The PSP Prime Minister, Third Year Thomas Brown, said: “I’ve had good fun debating real topics of running a country and learned a lot about the challenges of living up to the expectations of being Prime Minister.”

The Chancellor, First Year Harry Falkingham, added: “Being Chancellor was fun and active and it made my brain think a lot. I particularly enjoyed making the new budget. I would advise anybody to get involved in school parliament.”

The Parliament was two years in the planning, after current Upper Sixth Former Cameron Brown proposed the idea and began working on it with Head of Middle School Gareth Hughes. The snap general election in May 2017 put those plans on hold as they focused on staging a mock election instead, which resulted in Cameron taking on the post of Prime Minister and forming a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats.

Encouraged by the enthusiasm and discussion the mock election inspired, Cameron, Mr Hughes and politics prefect Henry Burr (Upper Sixth) went back to the drawing board and started making plans for a proper Parliament.

Cameron, who hopes to study Law with Politics at university next year, said “Being elected the first Prime Minister of Pocklington School was a great honour; that election taught many of us what the political parties stood for and what they promised to do. 

“But this was only half the battle. The next was taking this a step further and engaging the school community on how laws are made and how they would affect them- especially as critical legislation is going through Parliament, such as the Brexit Bill. 

“While it has a been a pleasure to serve the school I decided it was time to pass the baton on to the younger generations, who are our future. As the saying goes: ‘Decisions are made by those who show up’ and I hope that I have inspired people to do just that: show up and be heard.” 

Henry added: “Being involved in the school parliament was an honour and a privilege. I’m so proud of everyone involved- they have shown dedication and commitment to the project. I wish future years as much success as we have had.”

Headmaster Mark Ronan said: "There has never been a more important time to engage Pocklingtonians in understanding the democratic life of our country.

“Younger people will face some significant challenges in their adult lives including climate change, housing, health care, the rise of the robot and conflicts – all issues that need rigorous debate – and words rather than swords are always more effective in resolving such challenges. I hope that the Pocklington Parliament will flourish and foster debate that is characterised by our founding values: with courage and with truth.”

Mr Hughes added: “The Pocklington Parliament is one of the best student led innovations in school that I have ever seen.  Cameron and Henry put so much time into getting the ‘feel’ right - even down to modelling the exact layout of the House of Commons.  The energy, particularly emanating from some of our youngest students, drove a democratic crucible to emerge! 

“The Parliament is going to remain and flourish and so therefore the students should be absolutely delighted and proud of their accomplishments.”

To view pictures and video from Pocklington Parliament please click here.