HIGHCLIFFE STUDENTS VOTE TO REMAIN | Highcliffe School

HIGHCLIFFE STUDENTS VOTE TO REMAIN

Highcliffe School played host to our very own EU Referendum on 23rd June for all students in Years 7 – 10, following a Sixth Form referendum in April.


Prior to their A levels, our Sixth Form Debate Club organised a lunch-time Brexit debate in April with the result being overwhelmingly that we should remain in the EU. The winning side won by a land-slide - gaining 88% of the vote.

Our Sixth Former’s opinions were requested by The Echo newspaper to give a balance to the older generation in the community and we are extremely proud of their thoughtful, articulate and measured responses:

“The complexity of the situation regarding our stay within the EU is huge, however the way I am looking at each of these arguments is with regards to the future and how Britain will change through the early years of my working life. As a result of this and other research I believe that staying within the European Union is the best option for the progression of a stronger more unified world with far greater protective services in turbulent global political times, further maintaining strong economic relationships with huge world partners such as Germany, France and major multinational companies.”
Remi Bennett, 17 (will be 18 at the time of the vote)

“I believe Britain should leave the European Union. There are many factors contributing to this viewpoint. Prominent among them are concerns over the further integration that is inevitable if we stay inside the European Union. Recently Angela Merkel called for a unified financial policy across the Eurozone to decrease the risk of another situation like Greece developing. Personally this seems anti-democratic and counter-intuitive. Surely the best way to prevent economic crises in Greece damaging our economy is to increase the volume we trade with countries outside of the Eurozone? This is impossible while remaining in the EU.”
Hayden Eatwell, 18

“I believe that the UK should remain within the European Union as, in my opinion, the benefits of remaining certainly outweigh the costs. As a young adult, I have never known of anything other than free travel around Europe, without the hassle of visas and border control. Therefore, through leaving, students like me will have their futures threatened; working, studying and travelling in Europe in the future would definitely be restricted if we were to leave the EU. Furthermore, in my eyes, leaving the EU would be a step back in the development of the UK’s economy; it would take a long time to initiate new trade links with other countries. This could be damaging for the UK, especially considering that Barack Obama has already made clear where we will stand with the United States if we were to leave the EU. If we are already part of the world’s largest market, why leave?”
Amy Marshall, 18

In today’s referendum the result was closer although still definitive.

791 student votes were counted and verified with the final outcome being 56% in favour to Remain and 41% to Leave.

During the weeks leading to this vote, the students had received regular and balanced discussions on the issues, so that each student had the opportunity to give the matter some thought before making their decision.

Teacher, Mrs Deborah Powell said:
"I was extremely impressed with the detailed knowledge and understanding of the issues involved with regard to the EU referendum that was shown by the students today. They obviously cared passionately because the decision involves their future."


Students were given a ballot slip which were placed into a labelled envelope and then sent to the collection point outside the Head’s office.

Counting took place during lunchtime, undertaken by students from the Sixth Form Student Leadership Team and the School Council, who we congratulate for undertaking this important operation with a tremendous team work, spirit and efficiency.

 

 

Headteacher, Patrick Earnshaw said
“Across the 11 to 18 age range Highcliffe students have closely followed the EU referendum debate as they understand its importance to their future. Even our youngest students often possess sophisticated and passionately-held views about our membership of the EU.  Our Sixth Formers contributed to the public debate through a recent article in the Echo. Our ethos includes opening students’ minds, developing their powers of reasoning and deepening their knowledge and understanding of the complex world around them. We believe education changes lives and that educated people can change the world. We felt it was important our younger students were given a voice on such an important decision and had the opportunity to express their values and beliefs about Britain’s relationship to the world around it.”


    Owned by: LDN | Last Published: 24/06/2016 14:43:24 | Next Update: NA


In This Section

Download

Prospectus



Download