Schools recognised for record breaking poll in Northern Ireland Youth Parliament Elections

New UK Youth Parliament members in Northern Ireland received by Lord Mayor of Belfast and Schools recognised for record breaking poll

Gold School Democracy Award have been awarded to St Pius X College, Lurgan College and Thornhill College, by the British Youth Council in recognition of their high turnout of students in this year’s UK Youth Parliament Northern Ireland elections. They are three of 38 schools from across Northern Ireland who will receive School Democracy Awards because they ensured a record turnout of 11,917 votes cast by young people aged 11 to 18. A full breakdown of winning candidates and schools turnout can be found below.

The announcement comes just after our formal reception at Belfast City Hall, which saw the 18 newly Members of Youth Parliament join The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nichola Mallon, to celebrate their election and mark the beginning of a new term of office. The initiative, which is supported by Westminster and Stormont politicians, will see 18 young advocates champion the views of their young peers, network with other youth councils and forums in their area and campaign alongside their colleagues from across the UK on top issues.

NI UKYP Elections 2015

Mita Desai, Chair, British Youth Council said: “It’s fantastic to have the support of schools across Northern Ireland. Seeing schools become beacons of democracy ahead of the General Election is very encouraging. Young people are passionate about change and Northern Irish Members of Youth Parliament will now have a great platform for speaking out on behalf of their peers.”

 

NORTHERN IRELAND YOUTH PARLIAMENT ELECTION RESULTS

Constituency Member of Youth Parliament Final Vote 2013 Final Vote 2014 To date 2015
Belfast East Ross McVittie 399 111 294
Belfast North Nicole Mccann 329 119 58
Belfast South Drew Mcwilliams 422 160 1051
Belfast West Amber Mcstravick 500 244 567
East Antrim Sophie Bell 22 56 826
East Londonderry Emma McCaughern 518 120 348
Foyle Thomas Chambers 2195 665 1110
Lagan Valley Ryan Simpson 41 160 228
Mid Ulster Jack Logue 296 0 1374
Newry And Armagh Gareth Hampton 351 187 393
North Antrim Niesha Kelly 503 147 270
North Down Sarah Walker 419 40 608
South Antrim Jordan Graham 15 191 437
South Down Helen Jennings 737 219 886
Strangford Aaron Addidle 188 493 899
Upper Bann Abigail Taylor 44 167 1100
West Tyrone Zara Hemphill 7 337 895
Fermanagh & South Tyrone** Darragh O’Reilly 23 65 573
  TOTAL 7009 3481 11917

 

 

 

NORTHERN IRELAND YOUTH PARLIAMENT SCHOOL TURNOUT

School Year Turnout Award
Thornhill College 2013 60.20% Gold
Slemish College 2013 57.54% Silver
Shimna Integrated College 2013 57.40% Silver
St Colman’s College 2013 34.37% Silver
St Joseph’s Boys’ School 2013 27.03% Bronze
St Columbanus’ College 2013 26.63% Bronze
Loreto College 2013 26.36% Bronze
Down High School 2013 25.93% Bronze
Our Lady and St Patrick’s College 2013 22.78% Bronze
St Mary’s College 2013 22.22% Bronze
St Pius X College 2013 20.55% Bronze
Sacred Heart Grammar School 2013 17.31% Bronze
St. Dominic’s Grammar School for Girls 2014 16.42% Bronze
Our Lady and St Patrick’s College 2014 15.95% Bronze
St Pius X College 2015 83.00% Gold
Lurgan College 2015 73.64% Gold
Drumragh Integrated College 2015 54.75% Silver
Magherafelt High School 2015 51.99% Silver
The Royal School Armagh 2015 49.54% Silver
Victoria College 2015 46.78% Silver
Blackwater Integrated College 2015 46.75% Silver
Antrim Grammar School 2015 42.84% Silver
Omagh Academy 2015 42.27% Silver
Regent House School 2015 37.03% Silver
Carrickfergus Grammar School 2015 33.63% Silver
Larne Grammar School 2015 25.58% Bronze
St. Dominic’s Grammar School for Girls 2015 25.47% Bronze
Coleraine High School 2015 25.38% Bronze
Methodist College 2015 24.48% Bronze
Our Lady and St Patrick’s College 2015 24.21% Bronze
Glastry College 2015 23.00% Bronze
Glenlola Collegiate 2015 22.45% Bronze
St Columb’s College 2015 21.75% Bronze
Bangor Grammar School 2015 18.18% Bronze
Colaiste Feirste 2015 16.67% Bronze
Slemish College 2015 16.11% Bronze
St Patricks Grammar School, Downpatrick 2015 16.03% Bronze
Banbridge Academy 2015 15.38% Bronze
Wallace High School 2015 15.34% Bronze

 

For more information or to speak to newly elected Members of Youth Parliament please contact the press office.