Steyning pupil elected to Youth Council

Stephen Gearing has been chosen by more than 20,000 students across the county to represent the young people of the area and put forward their views to the government.

The UK Youth Parliament consists of 300 members, and a similar number of deputies, who hold their respective seat for a two year period.

Steven said: “I am really pleased to have won and want to thank everyone for their support.

“I will be running regular meetings in local schools to hear as many young voices as I can. I will take the views to Westminster and fight for change where needed.

“I also want to see improvements in the care system and support for vulnerable youngsters. There is a lot to do!”

Steven added he believed more young people need to be involved in politics and would like to see it as a compulsory subject taught in schools.

As well as attending meetings in Westminster, Stephen will also be working with the new MP for the area once they have been elected at the General Election in May.

Headteacher Nick Wergan said: “We are very proud of Stephen’s well deserved election to the UK Youth Parliament.

“He will be an excellent, democratic representative for his peers, and will be tenaciously determined.

“He is a great ambassador for young people and embodies the ethos of Steyning Grammar School perfectly.

“We wish him luck and he has the full support of our school community.”