Local Democracy Week at The Vale School

1.25.43pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 23rd Oct 2006

A local councillor and a group of Northumberland Park students joined together to take part in Local Democracy Week on Wednesday 18th October. Lib Dem councillor Matt Davies visited the Vale School, at Northumberland Park Community School in Tottenham, to talk to students and answer their questions about how local democracy works.

The Vale base at the school is for students with physical disabilities and associated special educational needs, from ages 11-19, and currently has approximately 80 students.

Cllr Matt Davies (Lib Dem, Fortis Green) comments:

"It was a pleasure to talk to the students about what their local council does. The staff and students were very welcoming and the school is clearly a vital community asset.

"The students seemed to be very interested in how local democracy works, so it was a good opportunity to answer all their questions. They gave me a good grilling on issues ranging from antisocial behaviour and rubbish dumping to what my favourite school subject was and where my mum lives!"

Marina Zaidi, Senior Teacher, comments:

"This is the first time that we have had a local councillor to visit our school to talk with students. It proved to be a valuable experience for them, most of whom did not understand what the role of a councillor involves. It was also a great opportunity for students who are currently studying about local government in PHSE and Citizenship this term."

A student, Max Tosun commented:

"It was really interesting. I never knew how much work a councillor has to do."