STUDENTS from Ysgol y Deri have been presented with a prestigious award by the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The Speaker’s School Council Award was awarded to students who were appointed School Ambassadors during the construction of Ysgol y Deri at the Penarth Learning Community site.

The Speaker’s School Council Awards celebrate the achievements of school council projects, and the impact they have on their schools and local communities.

The Ysgol Y Deri school council were awarded the prize in the Age 17-19 category for their project “School Construction Ambassadors”.

Through the project Ashgrove, Ysgol Erw'r Delyn and and Ysgoel Maes Dyfan special schools were amalgamated into Ysgol y Deri on the Penarth Learning Community site.

The school councils collaborated, selecting members as ambassadors for the new school and the new school building, breaking down fears and allowing their students to take a hands-on role in the construction of the new building.

Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, praised the work of schools councils:

“School councils make valuable contributions to their communities, while giving students what is often their first taste of democratic practice. It is therefore very fitting that these young leaders from are here to celebrate the building of the new Parliamentary Education Centre which will allow more young people to visit Parliament and develop their understanding of and connection to democracy.”

Kerri Pritchard, a teacher from Ysgol Y Deri, said: "Applying for the Speaker’s School Council Award ultimately gave the school council a voice to celebrate the impact of their work in the bringing together of three schools into one. The process ensured they were able to focus on the impact the project was having on fellow students. It helped them realise how important their role was in making the amalgamation a better experience for all of the 250 pupils involved. The school community and I could not be more proud of the team and this recognition has meant so much to each of the pupils involved.”

Penarth and Cardiff South MP Stephen Doughty said: “Winning this award is a fantastic achievement by the school council. The amalgamation and move could have been an unsettling time for students, but this project helped ensure they were fully involved in the process. It’s a great example of the important work of school councils, and my congratulations go to everyone at Ysgol y Deri.”