A STUDENT council met with Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd to discuss democracy and leadership.
Outwood Academy Ormesby’s Student Voice team visited Middlesbrough Town Hall for a tour of the corridors of local politics before receiving an audience with the Mayor.
Led by Student President Jakub Zapalowski, 12, the four-strong group quizzed Mr Budd on the most difficult decisions he has had to make, what he thought their priorities should be as school leaders and what inspired his move into politics.
The Mayor and the Student Voice team then discussed ways of combatting bullying, raising money for charitable causes and creating an engaging school newspaper.
Afterwards Jakub said: “It’s been brilliant, we have learnt how to improve our leadership skills and we hope to use what we have learnt to improve school life in general.”
Outwood Academy Ormesby Assistant Principal Craig Wrigh said: “Students are responsible for improving the academy for students. Our ethos is ‘students first’ and Student Voice is one of the ways of achieving that.”
Mr Budd added: “It was great to meet the Student Voice team and I wish them every success with their positive ideas around improving life for students and also the wider school community.”