YOUNGSTERS got their first taste of democracy at Cheney School when voters went to the polls in a mock election.

The Headington secondary school was one of two to take part in a scheme which aims to get more young people to sign up to vote and take an interest in politics.

In the election of mock candidates held on Thursday [march26] the Green Party won 213 out of 582 votes cast, beating Respect into second place.

A poll held at Oxford Spires Academy three weeks ago was topped by Respect.

Cheney sixth-former Billie Meadowcroft, 18, staffed a polling station for Year Nine students and helped tally the votes at the end of the day.

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She said: “We had six polling stations around the school taking people’s names so they could not vote twice and handing out ballot papers.

“The turnout has been particularly good in the sixth form and in Year Nine it has been 50 per cent, which is not too far off real elections."

Ms Meadcroft added: “I really hope it encourages more people to vote because we do not get taught a lot about politics, but hearing a lot of people around school talking about parties recently has been great. I think it is opening up that conversation, which will hopefully get more people to question their role in politics.”

Among those voting were 14-year-old Zach Morris and 13-year-old Asia Bidace.

Zach said: “It’s good because you get to learn about politics.”

Asia said: “I think it’s quite good, you get to say your ideas about who you want to win.”

In 2010, only 52 per cent of people aged between 18 and 24 voted in the General Election, compared to 75 per cent of people aged 65 and above.

Candidates have been campaigning since January, after they took part in a training day at Oxford Town Hall along with pupils who were acting as election staff.

Martin John, deputy returning officer at Oxford City Council, which supported the scheme, said the whole process had been a great success.

He said: “At the training day I thought the kids were really into it.

“Oxford East Labour MP Andrew Smith came in to speak to them at the end of the day and I worried that we might have to plant a few questions but there was no need.

“They asked him some really informed questions.

“Obviously there is a General Election focus this time around, but it is also about getting people on the register for the future.

“Some kids at the schools are already able to vote and there are others who are 16 and so can sign up to the register."

Mr John added: “If we can engage them now it will get them on to the register and keep them there.”