BARRY Comprehensive School's Student Parliament held its annual training day for newly elected members recently.

The parliament was set up three years ago by Miss S Morgan and some past students, to ensure learners have a real voice in shaping their education.

During the course of the day, year council meetings were set up and many roles were filled, after 97 student representatives had been elected from the 47 form classes at school.

Staff and students also voted for head boy and head girl, electing Matthew Williams and Lilibeth James. Isaac Mayne and Skye Morham were elected as deputy head boy and girl.

These student leaders now have the responsibility of running the Student Parliament.

Two students, Isaac Mayne and Liam Tanner, were elected to act as student governors for the year, and both are excited to have the opportunity to meet with the school governors on a regular basis.

Suggestions on how the Student Parliament could improve the school were raised by the form representatives, who then met with their new parliamentary departments to plan actions to take the school forward over the coming year.

Each of the five departments has a different focus: community, environment, health and fitness, learning and teaching and student support. This helps them work with students from all year groups on specific areas of school life.

Mrs J Ford, deputy headteacher, said: "The day was superb. I've been really impressed by the amount of excellent comments and suggestions aimed at improving our school."

Miss Morgan, Student Parliament co-ordinator and English teacher, added: "It's been fantastic how our Student Parliament has progressed."

Many students enjoyed the day and were glad they attended. Jordan Standing of 10SG said: "Overall, I think it's been a great success."

Teachers from Y Pant School near Llantrisant also joined Barry Comprehensive School for the day to find out how the Student Parliament works.