EVEN those ineligible to vote in this year’s General Election couldn’t help but get caught in the excitement with students at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy and hosting their own mock version of the event.

Campaign season at the Lime Kiln started in earnest on April 20, with four year 12 students nominated as candidates to stand in a mock election.

For several weeks they campaigned relentlessly on behalf of the Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrat and Green parties, developing their own literature, managing their own social media, and hosting daily hustings.

On May 6 the entire school went to vote, electing Haydon Etherington, the candidate for Labour, as the winner.

Chris Morgan, law, government and politics teacher at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, said: “They all took it very seriously and it was great to see them realise how important politics and political decisions can be.

“The candidates and their own campaign teams all work exceptionally hard.

“Ultimately The Labour party won by 46 per cent, which is a great reflection on the candidate, especially given we’re in rural North Wiltshire which isn’t traditionally very strong for the Labour Party.”

The mock election saw an innovative method for bringing politics to life and making it relevant for the pupils at the school, highlighting the importance of voting and realising the impact politics has on every day life.

George Croxford, head teacher at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, said: “I am truly delighted at the way in which students throughout the school have engaged in the election process. The mock election here at RWBA truly shows that young people can not only have an interest, but a real enjoyment and understanding of politics today.”

Ellie James, Swindon’s member for the youth parliament, acted as election co-ordinator for the mock election, and was pleased to be part of encouraging her peers to take an interest in politics.

“As a sixth form student who has a real passion for politics, co-ordinating the school election has been such good fun,” she said.

“Finally I feel I am not the only one in the school who cares about what is happening in the General Election.”

Meanwhile, in Cricklade, pupils at Meadowpark School also got in on the act marked the election with their own polling cards and electoral register.

Students had a taste of political power and responsibility, and had a go at writing their own manifestos and presenting them to the rest of the school.

Ultimately The contest boiled down to three parties – Daring To Be Different, Happy Learning and Playful Platinum.

“As children are unable to vote until they are 18, Many pupils do not find politics interesting or relevant,” said head teacher Rajvinder Kular.

“By linking the General Election with life at school, we hope to get pupils interested in politics and how the country is run at an early age. The school council allows pupils to put their views forward, but this is the first time a pupil will have a direct say in how the school is run. Thankfully, the new school minister’s reign will only last a day.”