THIRTY Year 7 students took part in Tavistock College’s political speed dating event this summer, meeting ten local councillors and finding out how local Government works.

The event was organised jointly by Devon County Cllr Debo Sellis and teacher Helen Harris as part of the college’s work on democracy — a key value for the college.

In political speed dating the students have a set time (seven minutes) in small groups with each councillor, before the whistle blew and the students were moved on to the next table. The students were able to put their own views forward and they asked really challenging questions on a wide range of local topics. The councillors found the session informative and very useful in giving them a chance to hear the views of young people.

Cllr Sellis commented afterwards: ‘We realise the significant importance of engaging with students.’

One student said: ‘That was really interesting – I found out a lot that I never knew before.’

Sarah Jones, Principal at Tavistock College, said: ‘I am extremely grateful to those councillors who gave up their time to talk through key local issues that really matter to our students.

‘Learning about democracy is important in a co-operative school and enables us to encourage students to get involved with their local community in a productive way.’