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Case studies "Carmarthenshire County Council: Carmarthenshire Youth Democracy Project 2"
Carmarthenshire County Council: Carmarthenshire Youth Democracy Project
Summary of activity
Partnership programme between Education Department and Electoral Services for primary schools across the county.
Aims and objectives of the activity
1. For children to identify why it's important to have their say. 2. Introduce children to the electoral register and process of voting. 3. Explain the work of the council.
Description of activity
A 2 hour workshop session is offered to 10-11 year old pupils. The programme fits in with the national curriculum and includes topics and key skill areas such as voting and democracy, communication and problem solving, working with others and the Rights of the Child. Also includes the importance and affect of the service provided by the county council together with the importance of the electoral register and voting. It is hoped that knowledge and awareness gained at this junior level will help lay the foundation for the greater voter participation of young people in future years.
What went well?
The response from teachers and pupils to-date has been excellent after the visits (see activity evaluated below). Pupils are keen to know what Democracy is. As in teaching a good starter activity is essential to gain enthusiasm. I refer to Nelson Mandela and how unfair an Undemocratic society could be. Other activities are Who can vote? ( booklet EC4W made easy if you like!), a mock election, Local democracy and the role of Carmarthenshire county council in our daily lives ( A follow up activity for the teacher to complete a few months after the visit is available). Reference is also made through groupwork to the importance of the UN Convention on the rights of the child and finally the importance of expressing opinions and listening to others
What didnt go so well?
Assume that the layout and rooms available at different Primary schools are completely different. I have learnt that a plan B for all activities is a must! Not every room has an interactive white board or maybe plenty of room for a certain activity!
How was the activity evaluated?
Pupils evaluate the session at the end in groups (Flipcharts, post-its, stickers used). Teachers are provided with an evaluation sheet.
To what extent were the aims and objectives achieved?
The evaluation of the visits is proof of this. The pupils leave the session knowing more about democracy but more importantly the importance of voting. School councils in the Primary schools of Carmarthenshire are also providing the opportunities and experience for children from a young age to participate in the democratic process. In view of this I am hopeful that Voting apathy will be less of an issue in future years. Certain schools have asked for a follow up session already!
Overall budget
Minimal costs - essential ingredients for success are enthusiasm of staff together with the support of RO/CE and Director of Education/Education Management. I am fortunate that the county council provides me with AtoZs of services and the electoral commission with the EC4W booklet. I also supplement these booklets (To be taken home for parents to browse and hopefully act on their own voting apathy maybe!) with biros, pencils slap wraps and so on.
Number of people working on the activity
I run the workshop myself. If theres a large group I will refer to the class teacher as the returning officer in the mock election!
Carmarthenshire County Council: Carmarthenshire Youth Democracy Project
Summary of activity
Partnership programme between Education Department and Electoral Services for primary schools across the county.
Aims and objectives of the activity
1. For children to identify why it's important to have their say. 2. Introduce children to the electoral register and process of voting. 3. Explain the work of the council.
Description of activity
A 2 hour workshop session is offered to 10-11 year old pupils. The programme fits in with the national curriculum and includes topics and key skill areas such as voting and democracy, communication and problem solving, working with others and the Rights of the Child. Also includes the importance and affect of the service provided by the county council together with the importance of the electoral register and voting. It is hoped that knowledge and awareness gained at this junior level will help lay the foundation for the greater voter participation of young people in future years.
What went well?
The response from teachers and pupils to-date has been excellent after the visits (see activity evaluated below). Pupils are keen to know what Democracy is. As in teaching a good starter activity is essential to gain enthusiasm. I refer to Nelson Mandela and how unfair an Undemocratic society could be. Other activities are Who can vote? ( booklet EC4W made easy if you like!), a mock election, Local democracy and the role of Carmarthenshire county council in our daily lives ( A follow up activity for the teacher to complete a few months after the visit is available). Reference is also made through groupwork to the importance of the UN Convention on the rights of the child and finally the importance of expressing opinions and listening to others
What didnt go so well?
Assume that the layout and rooms available at different Primary schools are completely different. I have learnt that a plan B for all activities is a must! Not every room has an interactive white board or maybe plenty of room for a certain activity!
How was the activity evaluated?
Pupils evaluate the session at the end in groups (Flipcharts, post-its, stickers used). Teachers are provided with an evaluation sheet.
To what extent were the aims and objectives achieved?
The evaluation of the visits is proof of this. The pupils leave the session knowing more about democracy but more importantly the importance of voting. School councils in the Primary schools of Carmarthenshire are also providing the opportunities and experience for children from a young age to participate in the democratic process. In view of this I am hopeful that Voting apathy will be less of an issue in future years. Certain schools have asked for a follow up session already!
Overall budget
Minimal costs - essential ingredients for success are enthusiasm of staff together with the support of RO/CE and Director of Education/Education Management. I am fortunate that the county council provides me with AtoZs of services and the electoral commission with the EC4W booklet. I also supplement these booklets (To be taken home for parents to browse and hopefully act on their own voting apathy maybe!) with biros, pencils slap wraps and so on.
Number of people working on the activity
I run the workshop myself. If theres a large group I will refer to the class teacher as the returning officer in the mock election!
