St Martin-in-the-Fields High School For Girls - a Church of England School in South London

The whole school went to the polls on Friday 19 January and Monday 22 January to vote for our candidates Mariam Bangura (Year 8) and Nina Oguama (Year 7) in the Lambeth Youth Mayor and Member of Youth Parliament elections, which were held across the borough in the month of January. St Martin's hosted the election to model a real election to assist in preparing our students for their future responsibility as UK citizens.

Both the Youth Mayor and Member of Youth Parliament serve a two year term. The youth elections provide an opportunity for 11-19 year olds to use their elected voice to bring change to social issues through meaningful representation and campaigning.

St Martin's student Mariam Bangura was one of only three female candidates who stood for the Lambeth Youth Mayor role. The Youth Mayor is the leader of the Lambeth Youth Council (LYC). The LYC provides opportunities for young people's voices to be heard on issues which matter to them. Nina Oguama stood as a candidate for Lambeth Member of Youth Parliament and hopes to win a seat in the Youth Houses of Parliament who seek to run campaigns on issues such as travel, education and youth crime.

Mariam's "Many speak but are not heard, act but are ignored. A vote for me is a vote for your opinions and thoughts to be listened to and acknowledged." was a powerful start to her election speech, while Nina finished her speech with "I would use my experience to champion ideas and contribute to making Lambeth better for young people."

The results of the Lambeth-wide elections will be announced in February. We wish Mariam and Nina all the best as they seek to be elected, we are really proud of you both.

Lambeth Youth Elections