Head Boy and Girl Mock Election Gives Bournville Students a Lesson in Democracy
Pupils campaign, debate and vote in school-wide election held alongside Birmingham local elections
At Bournville School, election fever has taken hold – not in Westminster or at Birmingham City Council, but in classrooms and corridors where students staged their own full-scale mock election to choose a new Head Boy and Head Girl.
The exercise, designed to mirror real democratic processes taking place across the country during local elections, saw Year 10 candidates campaign, produce manifestos, give speeches, and compete for the votes of their peers in a school-wide ballot.
One candidate, Ellie, said she felt “positive and prepared” ahead of the vote, explaining: “It’s always been something I’ve wanted. If I get this role, it’s an opportunity to not only help students but teach them about empathy.”
Another candidate, Connie, said her motivation came from her own experience as a younger student: “When I was in Year 7, the head girl at the time helped me feel included. She made me feel like I belonged when I felt on my own. She really helped me grow into the person I am today.”
Honey, also standing, said she wanted to build on the school’s progress: “I want to follow in the footsteps of previous head girls and uplift the reputation of the school because it’s come so far.”
Callum added that his focus was on visibility and action: “I feel like I can bring a lot to this school. I enjoy helping people and I want to be the change the school needs to become the best it can.”
Another candidate, Kale, said leadership meant representation: “Being the voice of all students – if people need help, you listen to them and take their suggestions forward.”
Kamani said the role carried responsibility and impact: “It helps students feel more comfortable. It’s important because it helps people be more included and confident around others.”
Campaigning across the school was energetic and visible, with posters, leaflets and hustings-style assemblies. One student joked that their campaign ideas came “25% ChatGPT, 25% my parents, and the rest me,” while others focused on student voice and engagement.
Ideas ranged from increasing school trips and rewards, to creating more student-led clubs and daily events designed to boost attendance and excitement.
“I want people to actually want to come into school,” said one candidate. “School shouldn’t feel like a burden – it should be something you enjoy.”
Another added: “I want to make sure everyone feels listened to. We’re the students who come here every day, so we should have a say in making it better.”
The candidates also reflected on what voters are looking for in a leader. One said: “They want someone who actually takes action on what they say they will do – not just promises.”
Another added: “Someone they can trust and talk to. Someone they feel comfortable going to if they’re worried about something.”
The school even ran full campaigning activities including assemblies, leafleting and student consultation sessions. “We’ve been campaigning,” said one pupil. “We set up tables and asked people for ideas on how to improve the school.”
There was also humour among the serious campaigning, with one student admitting: “It was bribery,” when discussing how they encouraged engagement – quickly followed by laughter from peers.
Others highlighted their leadership experience outside the election. One candidate explained they had already led student programmes: “We ran Wiser, a team-building event for Year 7s to help them make friends and build confidence at the start of school.”
Another said they had experience as a sports captain: “I was netball captain and worked with Year 7, 8 and 9 students, helping them transition and coaching them for tournaments against other schools.”
Teacher Vicki Middleton, Head of PSHE at the school, said the mock election is designed to mirror real civic life and prepare students for future participation in democracy.
“We’ve had candidates canvassing, making posters and leaflets, and we’ll have ballot papers and a full election set-up,” she said. “We want students to feel like it’s their school and that they can make decisions that have a real impact.”
She added: “We don’t just want to teach democracy, we want them to experience it. That way, when they go out into the world, they’ve already taken part in an election process.”
Students will vote across year groups, with results counted by student helpers. Even staff and pupils on trips are taking part via postal-style ballots.
“We want students to want to take part in their community,” Middleton said. “Not to feel like decisions are made for them, but with them.”
Assistant Principal Holly Poole said the initiative also reinforces wider values across the school: “It was inspirational to see how everyone engaged – from staff to students. It helps them understand democracy and builds fundamental British values.”
As Connie put it after her campaign: “It’s surreal having people know your name and come up to you with their ideas.”
And for many of the candidates, the experience has already gone beyond winning or losing.
As one student summed up: “It’s given me confidence to go out into the world and speak.”