STUDENTS in Year 11 at Kingsmead School in Wiveliscombe were asked whether Britain should remain in the EU after taking part in a debate.

Mrs Eele, Business Studies teacher and PSHCE co-ordinator, welcomed two visitors to the school – Stephen Fitzgerald from UKIP and the Leave Campaign and Mick Lerry from the Labour party and Stay Campaign. Senior assistant headteacher Mr Dunnett chaired the debate.

Students and staff listened to both sides and the students were invited to ask questions, which they did with maturity and consideration. Students enjoyed the lively debate and voted later in the day.

Year 11 senior student Anna Della Valle said: “Most of the talk focused on the future of Britain – my own generation won’t get a vote but may be most affected by the results after June’s vote.

“According to Mick nobody knows exactly what the full consequences to the UK will be, including the leave campaign. Mr Lerry finished the speech with the words of David Cameron: ‘We will be safer, stronger and more prosperous if we stay’.”

Fellow Year 11 Ollii Cattell said: “Stephen Fitzgerald told us the European Union was a failed project and that we were ‘doomed’ if we were to stay.

“He then detailed how we spend billions a year on the EU and argued that we would be better off financially and for national security in leaving the EU.”

The Year 11 students at Kingsmead voted by a significant majority for the UK to remain a member of the EU – they now look forward to watching the campaigns of both sides of the debate and the real result after the referendum on June 23.

The school thanks Stephen and Mick for providing students for debating the issues.