Election fever grips pupils at Democracy Week events

ELECTION fever has been in full swing at Broughton High School this week, as pupils held their first Democracy Week.

The school, in partnership with the Inverleith Community Learning and Development team, organised a range of events exploring democracy.

Pupils from Edinburgh Academy, The Royal High School and Fettes College came together with Broughton High for a debating competition to discuss "Should prisoners have the right to vote?"

One of the highlights of the week was a mock Question Time show, involving a panel of local councillors and a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

The week is due to finish with an invitation to the wider community to attend a hustings of parliamentary candidates.

Diane Burgess, principal teacher of guidance at Broughton High, said: "We hope that our students will gain the confidence to effectively challenge and question, becoming responsible citizens."

Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, education leader, said: "Democracy Week will help pupils understand and know more about political and social issues."