GCSE students at Ryde Academy discussed citizenship issues with Isle of Wight Councillor and MP candidate Joe Robertson. As part of their citizenship course, students are developing campaigns around a diverse range of issues such as mental health, freedom of speech and youth reoffending. They are looking to persuade decision makers of their point of view and ultimately to change policy and law. Some of the students have taken their campaigns online after researching widely. Joe Robertson spent two hours debating the issues.
Joe said, “It was great to hear such a range of views from well informed young people. It was hard to disagree with much of what they had to say. Some of the issues they raised should have greater prominence in public discourse – such as raising the age of criminal responsibility. I am confident that some of those in the room will be our elected representatives of the future. The Island is in safe hands.”
