What We've Been Up To
Posted on December 16th 2025
Year 13 Students Hear from The Politics Project
Year 13 students recently took part in an engaging talk delivered by The Politics Project, a non-partisan democratic education and engagement organisation. The session focused on why democratic participation matters and how young people can use their voice effectively.
Students learned about the practical importance of registering to vote, not only to take part in elections but also because the electoral register is used to select people for jury service, a key civic duty that underpins the justice system. Being registered ensures eligibility for both democratic and legal participation.
The talk also highlighted why youth participation is so important. At the 2024 UK General Election, turnout among 18–24 year olds was estimated at around 55–60%, compared with around 70–75% among over-65s. This matters because political priorities often reflect the groups who vote most consistently. Older voters are more likely to influence decisions on pensions, healthcare, and housing wealth, while issues that disproportionately affect young people such as tuition fees, renting costs, climate policy, and early-career wages can receive less attention when youth turnout is lower.
A key takeaway for students was that voting is one of the most direct ways to shift political attention. When young people vote in larger numbers, parties adapt their policies to reflect their concerns.
Students were also reminded that 16- and 17-year-olds will be eligible to vote in the next UK General Election, making early registration and political awareness more important than ever.
Students can register to vote online in just a few minutes at:
- Ms Jacklin, Politics Teacher
