Examination of Witnesses (Questions 180-183)
19 MAY 2004
MR DUNCAN
CULLIMORE AND
MS CHRIS
WEEDS
Q180 Martin Linton: Would you like to
be able to offer something even more participative, something
like a Youth Parliament, a Youth Question Time, so they can not
just see what we do but do something themselves?
Ms Weeds: In the Pupil Parliaments
which we run on a Friday, very, very successfully, we had one
last Friday and the teacher from Park View School in David Lammy's
constituency was saying, "I just can't believe them. Some
of them have spoken who wouldn't say boo to a goose, who had said
`I want to come but I'm not saying anything' . . ."
Q181 Chairman: Where do the Pupil Parliaments
meet?
Ms Weeds: They are based in Committee
Room 10 because it is the nearest to the Chamber we can get without
using the Chamber itself. It gives them the idea of the two sides
and so on. Karen Buck was our speaker this time. The teacher was
saying, "They have done me proud, they have done the school
proud, I just can't get over the fact some of them have participated
so much."
Martin Linton: Do you have a long waiting
list for the Pupil Parliaments?
Q182 Chairman: I am going to have to
wind this up. It is fascinating. We are very grateful to both
of you. Did you have any final points you wanted to leave us with,
a brief summary or anything?
Mr Cullimore: No, I do not think
so. Thank you very much for inviting me along. I would be very
pleased to work with you. If you would like to take things further
in Lewisham, that would be great.
Q183 Chairman: If anything occurs to
you, as you reflect on where we are going in this inquiry, which
might help us—more information, Chris, or any other views
you have, Duncan—please let us know.
Mr Cullimore: The only other thing
I would mention is school councils, we are promoting schools councils
in every school, that is where it starts and within schools we
want to have effective school councils.
Ms Weeds: We do quite often have
referrals from teachers which say, "Actually it is not Year
6 or Year 7, it is the School Council, and this is (a) their reward
and (b) we hope it is a chance for them to see what they have
been putting into practice in their schools."
Chairman: Thank you very much, that was
very helpful.
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