Bury College GCSE English Students Engage in Political Discussion with Local MP James Frith

Students from Bury College’s GCSE English course have recently undertaken an exciting and thought-provoking project, writing letters to their local MP, James Frith, to express their views on the discussion surrounding lowering the voting age to 16. This initiative has given students the opportunity to engage in political discourse, develop their persuasive writing skills, and reflect on the role of young people in shaping democracy.

As part of the project, James Frith visited the college this past week to discuss the views shared in the students’ letters and to provide insight into the wider political landscape. During his visit, students were given the opportunity to ask questions, hear his perspective on the topic, and explore the potential for greater political education in schools.

A Thought-Provoking Discussion

The session revealed a range of perspectives, with students presenting strong arguments on both sides of the discussion. Supporters of lowering the voting age argued that young people are significantly impacted by political decisions, particularly in areas such as education and employment. They also pointed out that 16-year-olds already have a range of legal responsibilities and can do things that demonstrate a great amount of independence. On the other hand, those opposed to the change cited concerns about maturity levels and cognitive development, questioning whether younger individuals are fully prepared to make informed political decisions.

Teaching Politics in Education

One particularly engaging question posed to James Frith was about the feasibility of teaching politics in an unbiased manner and how such neutrality could be ensured. In response, Frith acknowledged the challenges of eliminating bias in education, pointing out that bias exists in various subjects. He explained that history, for example, is often influenced by the perspectives of those who documented it, and English literature is shaped by the texts chosen for study based on critics’ judgments. However, he emphasised that this should not deter the education system from equipping young people with political knowledge and awareness.

The Importance of Political Engagement

Reflecting on the significance of the discussion, James Frith shared his thoughts on why political engagement among young people is essential:

“Politics takes an interest in all people, and so our young people should definitely take an interest in politics. There isn’t a single aspect of life that isn’t affected, either adversely or positively, by politics. Today’s session has been about having a discussion about political life, political decisions, what matters to young people, and of course, whether the voting age should change to 16.”