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Young councillors are on a mission to change the world.

The first group of school councillors have been appointed in Year 2 and 3 at Magna Carta Primary Academy.

The 1215 Committee has held its first monthly meeting with responsibilities split among the group, including school events, local community, charity, national issues and world issues.

Headteacher Marios Solomonides said: “Our school councillors are already thinking of everything from litter on the streets to plastic in the ocean. Their focus is not on wanting more playtime, it is about the issues facing their local area, the country and the world.

“One of our curriculum drivers is developing children’s local, national and global perspective. This is about them taking ownership of that.”

The nine councillors have a working lunch – at 12.15pm – with the headteacher to discuss their concerns and ideas.

Mr Solomonides said: “The children are learning about leadership, leading on initiatives such as the charities we support. In future, if the school is approached about fundraising, the requests will be put to the 1215 Committee to take forward. They are also developing their decision-making skills, thinking about the needs of the school, the local area, the country and the world.

“This is showing our young people they can make a difference. We are building on their knowledge and understanding of how changes can be made and showing them it does not necessarily take lots of money or lots of people to make changes, you just need determination.

“These children are amazing. These are our oldest pupils as we are still a young school. Generally, these roles go to Year 6 pupils, but we are realising even our Reception children are capable of so much more if you challenge them.”

The members put together pitches and were voted in by their classmates in a secret ballot tied in with the General Election.