Friday 21st June 2024

The Banking Hall at Torquay Town Hall buzzed with energy and excitement as students from eight local primary schools took part in the Children's Parliament 2024 competition. Organised by the Riviera Education Trust in partnership with Torbay Council, this is the third year the competition has given children the opportunity to present their views to adults of influence and to see that they really can make a difference in a political way.

The theme, set by Torbay Council was: Being the best place for children is really important to Torbay.  We are working hard to make changes for you.  Working with UNICEF we are looking at how we can improve things within each of these topics: Safe & Secure; Flourishing; Education & Learning; Participating; Child-Friendly Services; Place; Family & Belonging; Healthy; Equal & Included; Innovation.  What ideas do you have that would make a big difference to children?

1st Place:
All Saints Babbacombe CE Primary

2nd Place: Preston Primary

3rd Place: Oldway Primary School

Speaking after the event, Shaun Evans, said

“It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be invited to this event.  I was so impressed with the quality of the presentations and the sheer passion the children showed for the messages that they wanted to get across.  Not only were the presentations brilliant, but the questions asked by the children to their peers were really insightful (and somewhat challenging!).  I could see that a great deal of thought had gone into each presentation.”

To celebrate their accomplishments, pupils in each of these schools received medals, with All Saints Babbacombe CE Primary also awarded a £100 Amazon voucher. In addition, pupils from the winning school have an exciting trip to the Houses of Parliament to look forward to, early in the new academic year. 

Looking ahead, the success of the Children's Parliament 2024 competition has set the stage for an even more promising event next year on Friday 20th June 2025, with the theme yet to be decided.

The participating schools included: All Saints Babbacombe CE Primary, Oldway Primary, Preston Primary, Roselands Primary, Shiphay Learning Academy, St Margaret’s Academy, Upton St James CE Primary and White Rock Primary.

The judging panel comprised representatives from Torbay Council:

• Matthew Fairclough-Day, Director of Corporate Services,
• Shaun Evans, Head of Service – Safeguarding
• Councillor Nick Bye, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

Kate Lee from Riviera Education Trust opened the event with Chief Executive of Torbay Council, Anne-Marie Bond, delivering the welcome message.  

Kevin Foster, Torbay’s MP for the last 9 years but a candidate during the General Election, also talked to the children about the importance of Parliament and the democratic system.

The children’s presentations covered topics from inclusion; children’s hospitals; children’s voice; SEND and disability; Torbay parks; safe spaces; green spaces; pollution; litter and children’s health.  They used a variety of presentation styles ranging from formal to creative role play, rhyming presentations, song and even a rap!

The judging panel and audience actively engaged with the participants, asking questions to gauge their understanding of the subject matter.  The event fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas, allowing the students to showcase their comprehensive grasp of the issues and their proposed solutions.

The judging criteria encompassed three key aspects: content and understanding, communication skills, and creativity and originality. Schools were also able to vote for their peers choosing their top 3 schools, once all the presentations were concluded.  

After the scores had been checked and verified, the results were announced.