Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Central Youth Engagement team and teachers from ‘VoteforSchools’ have been working in partnership to deliver a fun debating session for students across London.
Engaging and interactive lesson materials discussing crime and policing have been launched to around 45,000 students aged four to eighteen in 80 schools across London.
Officers have helped to develop the school resources which will allow students to discuss crime, the role of a police officer and will end with students being given the opportunity to vote on whether a police officer should be invited to their school to engage directly with pupils.
Acting Inspector Luke Entwistle, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to engage with large numbers of young people in an innovative way, without a police officer being in the classroom to influence a debate. It is hoped this initiative will give students a chance to talk about crime and policing issues that matter to them and provide an additional platform for the voices of young people to be heard.”
Matt Beer, CEO VotesforSchools said: “The VotesforSchools team are thrilled to announce a joint project with the Metropolitan Police Service to educate young people in London and beyond about crime and the role of the police in the UK. This is an opportunity to start a national conversation about the role of the police in preventing crime, what communities can do to help and how people can stay safe. It will also give the new generation a voice in the country they are growing up in. VotesforSchools exists to give young people a say in the issues that shape their world and their future. We take the burden off teachers by providing them with ready-to-go resources that allow them to teach tough topics, like violent crime, homophobia, sexism or religious discrimination, in a manner that is engaging but also safe for young people.”
Once pupils have cast their vote and left their anonymous comments, the results will be shared via VotesforSchools’ website – www.votesforschools.com
++ About VotesforSchools:
Once pupils have cast their vote and left their anonymous comments, the results will be shared via VotesforSchools’ marketing channels, on their social media and with the press. VotesforSchools will talk to the relevant national and local ministers and politicians to ensure that young people’s voices on this issue are heard.
VotesforSchools is an innovative voting platform for pupils. We provide fun weekly debate materials based on topical issues, while effectively delivering SMSC, British values and Prevent. Lessons require zero prep from the teacher and develop democratic habits in pupils by exploring controversial issues in a safe and balanced way. At the end of each week, pupils have the opportunity to vote and their results are shared publicly, hugely raising the profile of pupil voice.
Our materials go out to 360 schools each week, from Primary schools through to Colleges, gathering the views and opinions of over 150,000 pupils from around the UK. Pupils are given the opportunity to explore both sides of the debate in their classroom through a series of interactive activities, before voting and leaving a comment which we share more widely.
For more information contact Sophie at sophie@votesforschools.com
