Our students’ views are being considered in Parliament!

Update: Read the report which features our students’ suggestions!

Our students could influence policy and decisions made in Parliament after our successful application to a House of Lords youth programme.

The electric vehicles inquiry was launched in August by the Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee, in order to understand how the UK Government will achieve its target of decarbonising cars and vans in the UK, and the barriers to doing so.

“Knowing that our viewpoints will be passed on to parliament and could affect policy feels really empowering. It’s inspiring to be part of and makes me feel that I can pursue a career in this field, and that I can make a difference.”

Following a successful application, our college was accepted onto the House of Lords Environment Select Committee’s Electric vehicles inquiry youth programme.

Students made applications to take part in the first panel discussion, and ten were invited to take part. The notes from this session will now be sent to the House of Lords to influence the inquiry.

The students attended the discussion armed with prior research and delved deep into issues including the challenges posed by social and economic disparities, practical solution options and the issues facing theirs and future generations.

Barnsley Sixth Form student Grace Clarke, who is currently studying A Levels in Geography, English Literature and Sociology, said: “I’m passionate about sustainability as an issue, and I’ve really enjoyed being part of the Sustainability Voice programme here at College and Sixth Form this last year.

“I really enjoyed taking part in the first panel. It was so valuable to discuss issues from different angles and to hear other people’s viewpoints which I hadn’t thought of. Looking at it from the environmental side, but also the social and political sides, was really beneficial.

“Knowing that our viewpoints will be passed on to parliament and could affect policy feels really empowering. It’s inspiring to be part of and makes me feel that I can pursue a career in this field, and that I can make a difference.”

Our Sustainability Officer, Sasha Beswick, added: “I’m extremely pleased that our students have this opportunity to influence government policy on climate change and environmental issues.

“When it comes to climate change, it is so important that young people’s voices are heard, and they are given a seat at the table. Climate change is directly facing our students and generations to come, and our students performed a very impressive first discussion session as part of the project.

“They attended having researched the issues and took their roles very seriously, whilst being respectful and sensitive to the barriers which may be faced when accessing more sustainable modes of transport. I’m proud to say our students are really stepping up to the role of being a voice for their generation on such important matters such as climate change.”