A general election is a time when political parties make the case for how they believe the country should be run. It offers schools a great opportunity to support a high-quality oracy education.

Three of our Voice 21 Oracy Centres of Excellence have told us what they’re doing to mark the election period.

Hardwick Primary School – Derby

“Staff at Hardwick Primary School agreed that we not only wanted children to understand what was meant by the general election, we also wanted them to understand the process involved in this. To mark the upcoming election, children from Year 4, 5 and 6 have been busy running to become the Prime Minister for Hardwick Primary School. 

The children in Year 4, 5 and 6 first decided whether they would like to run for Prime Minister and prepared a speech to deliver to their class. Each class then voted for their winner. Finally, each class in the year group voted for one winner until we were left with three elected candidates; one from each year group. 

The three candidates have since presented to the whole school, stating why they should vote for them and what they will do for our school. The rest of the school will be engaging with the democratic process and voting for their chosen Prime Minister on 4th July and the winner will be announced in assembly.

As an Oracy Centre of Excellence, we believe it is important for children to realise that their voice can make a difference and that it is valued. We want them to continue to understand the fundamental British value of democracy and how this works in our society. We would also like our children to be informed citizens of the future and value each other’s opinions.”

Madani Girls School, Leicester

“Madani’s students are enthusiastically participating in mock elections this week during form time because we see immense value in this engaging educational activity. Through these mock elections, we aim to foster a deep understanding of civic responsibilities and democratic processes among our students. By taking part in this practical experience, they gain firsthand knowledge about the importance of voting and what it means to be an active, responsible citizen. This simulation helps them understand how elections work, why making informed decisions is crucial, and how their choices can influence governance and society.

Our mock elections help reinforce fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance. By participating, students learn to appreciate diverse viewpoints, recognise the importance of contributing to a democratic society, and realise their potential to make a difference. This approach not only enhances their understanding of democratic principles but also nurtures their growth into responsible, informed individuals who are committed to the values of a democratic community.

As an Oracy Centre of Excellence, we are deeply committed to creating opportunities for our students to explore and understand their civic responsibilities. This is more than just an educational activity; it’s about empowering our young people to find their voices and realise their potential to make a difference. By discussing and actively engaging in the electoral process, our students are not only learning how democracy works but also becoming informed and passionate future decision-makers.

We want our students to feel that their voices truly matter, to carry this sense of empowerment with them, and to understand that they have the ability to influence the world around them. When they take part in mock elections, they are stepping into roles that allow them to envision a future where they can speak up, advocate for their communities, and drive positive change. This experience nurtures a sense of responsibility and confidence that extends beyond the classroom, fostering a generation of empowered individuals ready to take their rightful place in society and amplify the voices of those around them.”

Pinner Wood School – Pinner 

“A signature practice at Pinner Wood School is our commitment to Pupil Leadership. Staff at Pinner Wood consistently seek opportunities for pupils to step up and lead throughout the school and prioritise giving them regular opportunities for presentational talk. 

Each year, as part of our educational offer, children in year 4, 5 and 6 apply to be ‘Headteacher for the Day.’ The students launch campaigns, complete with manifestos, in assembly to the whole school (speaking in front of 700 people). All the children then go to the Polling Station, which is set up in the school, and every child votes for the Headteacher that they want.

The winner then takes over the school for a day. 

This year, in order to mark the election, we have gone bigger than ever with the whole school participating in a ‘Take Over Day’. This involved the children taking over the entire school including: class teachers, the office roles, and pastoral and site teams. 

We felt it was important to mark the election as an Oracy Centre of Excellence because it has provided an authentic opportunity for the children to practise both their presentation and exploratory talk. From candidates using persuasive language to convince children to vote for them, to the children discussing policies, thinking critically and debating who to vote for, we felt that this opportunity for authentic discussions cannot be missed. “