Stromness Academy pupils getting Ready to Vote

Pupils at Stromness Academy are gearing up for the forthcoming local council elections by taking part in a series of activities as part of the national ‘Ready to Vote’ campaign.

For the first time 16 and 17 year olds will be eligible to vote in the local election when it takes place on May 4.

The Ready to Vote campaign is aimed at preparing pupils for this and helping them become engaged in the political process. The campaign aims to raise awareness of 16 -17 year olds’ entitlement to vote, support eligible students to register to vote and inform students about the local candidates.

Stromness Academy pupils will be taking part in lessons on the political process and reasons for voting and school staff will also run a hustings event for candidates standing in Stromness and South Isles and the West Mainland

The hustings event takes place on Friday 21 April at lunchtime. Anyone who is intending to stand in either of the two wards should contact the school by email or by phone on 01856 850 660 and ask for Jane Partridge or Annie Parker.

Ian Berstan is Acting Head Teacher at Stromness Academy.  He said: “At Stromness Academy we think it really important that our pupils learn to become engaged in political processes. We’re delighted to be joining other schools in Scotland in taking part in the Ready to Vote campaign and looking forward to the events that we have planned.”