On Tuesday, 17^th March, Blenheim High School had a visit from Hugh Dennis who engaged and inspired Sixth Form students on the subject of Politics. Hugh, an English comedian and actor, is best known for being one half of Punt and Dennis and playing Pete Brockman, the father in the BBC One sitcom Outnumbered as well as being a regular panellist on the BBC Two satirical comedy show Mock the Week. He is currently one of the key speakers in a campaign led by a charity called Speakers for Schools. 

Students at Blenheim High School had the opportunity to put questions to Hugh Dennis including ‘Do the media influence the direction of politics?’, ‘Do politicians fairly represent society?’ and ‘Should parents tell their children for whom they vote?’  Hugh left to a rapturous applause and made a significant impression on students. They feel uplifted, engaged with politics and inspired and proud to be the next generation of voters. They have a voice and the Speakers for Schools campaign has empowered them to use it. 

Speakers for schools have done extensive research to learn more about young people’s attitudes, concerns and aspirations for the UK political system and comes as it launches a two-week campaign (#S4SNextGen) to engage young people in politics and democracy - with over 30 of the UK’s leading public figures delivering inspirational talks on the subject of ‘Why I Vote’ in state schools across the country. The campaign is apolitical and designed to engage young people in the political process, voting and democracy as a whole – speakers include party leaders David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg, Leanne Wood and Natalie Bennett, and major figures from the worlds of business, media and entertainment. 

The key findings of the research and the campaign so far lead to the conclusion that the next generation of voters demand an overhaul of ‘outdated and old fashioned’ politics with online voting and interactive Prime Minister’s Questions. Technology should be used to modernise the UK political system but young people are still split on whether the voting age should be lowered. 

James Preece, Head of Sixth Form, Blenheim High School "We are delighted to have welcomed Hugh Dennis and the Speakers for Schools’ campaign to Blenheim High School. It has been a huge success and has left our students informed about the impending General Election and also why voting and participating in the democratic process is so important.  It is an event that will stay with them for years to come and we are very proud to have hosted such an important event with Speakers for Schools ". 

Some student comments

“Really engaging and has changed my view of voting.”
“Interesting to know some of the history of voting. He would be great as a teacher!'”
“By combining a hint of comedy with talk of politics, the talk engaged us fully and I now intend to vote in the next election.”

About Blenheim High School 

Blenheim High School is the only co-educational Science Academy in Epsom and has achieved outstanding results so far this year. With the school motto ‘believe and achieve’ Headteacher Tracey Fantham places student achievement at the top of the agenda but also believes in a well-rounded education and the benefits of extra-curricular activities. Blenheim promotes competition and co-operation through a huge programme of enrichment opportunities and excels in creative arts, technology and sports. 

Information and pictures courtesy of Blenheim High School Epsom. 

Please see the attached download

Speakers For Schools Election Special 2015 – research Summary