Our Election programme has now been running for over ten years! Developed to coincide with General Elections and other major political events, Election brings the often dull and inaccessible subject of politics alive.
In teams, students are asked to found a brand new political party to contest the next General Election. Our team take cohorts through step by step modules, at each stage taking time to explain how our democracy and electoral system works. Teams will devise a Manifesto on issues and topics of their own choosing, they brand their new party and then learn about campaigning strategies and debating. Finally we hold a real life vote, where students learn how to use a ballot slip as they choose their favourite group and a winning group is crowned.
Apathy amongst the 18-24 voter demographic is one of the major flaws in UK democracy. At CragRats we believe that nourishing a genuine interest and understanding in politics is the way to redress this. Election is a fantastic vehicle for beginning a lifelong interest and engagement with current affairs.
Like all of our CragRats programmes, Election is also packed full of Employability Skills learning. The day is typical of an Assessment Centre style group activity, where students have to manage their time, delegate tasks, use initiative and teamwork before pitching for votes in the finale.
