The general consensus heralded by the majority of society is that the youths of today are disillusioned with or, indeed, simply do not care about UK politics. However, this is arguably a massive misconception. Wycombe teenagers ARE interested in politics.


Politics is offered as an A Level option at Wycombe High School, with 26 students electing to take it at AS Level this year. The topics that are taught at AS include the functions of pressure group politics, electoral systems and the ins and outs of the UK’s political ideologies. Other topics which are delved into include the parliament and the constitution, the latter of which enables students to not only discuss the UK’s constitution, but also that of the United States too. These topics are not only a mere contribution to an official qualification, but they help to educate the future electorate so that they may make an informed decision in general elections and in identifying their individual political standing.


Nethmi Welivitiya in Year Twelve commented: “As a student at Wycombe High, studying AS politics has given me a much broader insight into how the UK actually works in terms of its government, policy formulating and why certain policies are made. Learning about the government and discussing current news stories in lessons has effectively made me think deeper about certain issues and, at times, re-evaluate my opinion due to the fact that I gain more knowledge about that issue when hearing other students’ viewpoints.” Nethmi also added: “I was interested in politics because I personally wanted to know more about the different political parties and how they make up the government body. After studying politics for almost four months, it has definitely made me more knowledgeable.”
 

However, this isn’t to say that teenage political interest is just confined within the walls of a classroom. Students have also undertaken individual projects in order to showcase their political enthusiasm. One such example is a blog - drowningstreet.blogspot.com – set up by an AS politics class at Wycombe High School, where Year Twelve students write and upload articles broadcasting alternative viewpoints regarding current affairs issues.
 

There have also been various events organised by the district which allow teens to further their political interests, including a Model UN Climate Change Conference. Indeed, next month sees the hosting of the ‘House of Wycombe’ debate, in which five Wycombe schools will re-enact parliamentary debates on certain topical issues, including military intervention in Syria, the European Union opt-out and whether digital copyright laws should be strengthened. The event will be held at the Highcrest Academy and will be overseen by Wycombe’s very own MP, Conservative Steve Baker. Participating schools consist of Wycombe Abbey, Wycombe High School, the Royal Grammar School High Wycombe, John Hampden Grammar School and the Highcrest Academy.


In addition to this, organisations such as the Wycombe Youth Council, Bucks Youth Parliament and Youth Bank enable teenagers to have a say in the running of their locality, to organise events within their community in order to instil a sense of togetherness, and to have an authoritative say in societal issues.
 

So let us dispel this myth that teenagers care not about society and let us shatter this tarnished reputation that we taint them with; political apathy isn’t widespread amongst the youth of today – Wycombe teenagers DO care.