What a busy week we’ve had in Willow Class! As part of our unit on local government, our classroom was transformed from a place of learning into a bustling Council Chamber.

The mission? To understand how democracy works right on our doorstep. We stepped out of our school uniforms (mentally!) and into the shoes of local residents and powerful councillors to decide the future of our town.

The Great Debate

The class was split into two groups, each with a very important job:

  1. The Residents: These students identified real-life problems in our local area. From cracked pavements and dark alleyways to the need for better play equipment, they had to gather evidence and prepare a persuasive pitch.

  2. The Councillors: These students held the "purse strings." They had a limited budget and a huge responsibility. They had to listen, ask "the tough questions," and remain fair and unbiased.

The Proposals

We heard some fantastic arguments! Here are a few of the projects the residents fought for:

  • The Green Space Initiative: A plan to plant more trees and wildflowers to help local biodiversity.

  • The Youth Zone: A proposal for a new skate park and outdoor seating for teenagers.

  • Safety First: A request for a new zebra crossing near the high street to keep pedestrians safe.

"It was harder than I thought to choose," said one of our Councillors. "Everyone had a good reason for wanting the money, but we couldn't say yes to everyone. We had to think about what the whole community needed most."