The School Council at North Tawton Community Primary School decided that the children should repeat the successful whole school study of democracy initially established last year.

During the election period in 2015, the children voted for something they really wanted and, following Y5/6 presentations and a close vote by all the children, the school PTA (FONTS) and the children, raised money for a basket swing, which was recently installed on the school playing field. 

This year, it was agreed that the children should also consider other less fortunate children in their fundraising, in addition to the usual charity events that the school takes part in three times a year, in the local community. 

It was decided that, every year, the children will raise money for something they would like and for a children’s charity, on a 50/50 basis. So in between working hard at completing their challenging SATs and optional SATs last week, the Y5/6 children in Sycamore class were also extremely focused on preparing a presentation linked to the ‘British Values’ aspect of the National Curriculum requirements.

The class prepared presentations to persuade the rest of the children to raise funds for their chosen charity. They researched the charities on the internet and selected a wide variety. 

The presentations then took place in the school hall on Thursday, May 12 and parents were invited to attend. The children gained confidence in their public speaking and the range of charities selected was impressive, with some heartfelt presentations. 

Afterwards, all children learnt about the voting process, with those as young as four years old placing a mark on a ballot paper and inserting this into the ballot box. The older children helped the youngest with this process and took the matter very seriously, ensuring canvassing was disallowed while the vote took place. 

Following a very close result, the selected charity which had the most votes, was the Rainbow Trust. This is a UK children’s charity, providing emotional and practical support to families who have children with a life-threatening or terminal illness.

The next stage has already started, with the Year 5 and 6 children and school council deciding on fund-raising activities, including stalls at the FONTS June Jamboree on June 18.

It has already been agreed that a sponsorship day will be held the day before the Jamboree, with items for the stalls being brought into school, in return for dressing up as a member of staff!  The staff meanwhile, will be dressing up as the children, so roles may be reversed for the day.

Headteacher, Nick D’Agorne said: ‘ I feel extremely proud of the children and their generous attitude towards others and feel sure that this will be a very successful fundraising event. The children and staff are already planning fundraising activities and considering what they will wear the day before the Jamboree.

‘I will certainly be challenged finding an outfit to fit me, but will definitely turn up in my best school uniform on the day! I just hope I don’t have to do some of the SATs questions the children have just completed, as they apparently even challenged government ministers, let alone our Y6 children!’