Students at a Flintshire high school took to the polling booths to elect their peers to form a School Council.

Each candidate at Elfed High School, in Buckley, went through a rigorous process and delivered a short presentation explaining why they should be elected.

The votes were counted, and the successful students have been chosen to represent their year group are: Annabel Jeffrey, Pippa Ellis, Rhys Santos, Maya Bhamrah, Llewelyn Daniels, Ella Rushforth, Chloe Shone, Charlie Collins, Matteo Molica-Franco, Keira Jones, Isabel Deacon, Megan Howe-Thatcher, Haf Peers-Buxton, Kimmy Chen, Amelie Hill, Afon Fewster-Jones, Hannah Ryder and Jack Kemp.

The successful candidates attend regular meetings with Steven Breeze, PSE coordinator, where they are given the opportunity to express their own views and the opinions of the students they represent.

Students will develop their confidence, communication and negotiation skills and feedback the outcome to their peers.

The Year 11 and senior students will lead whole school initiatives, including a Leadership Club and a Peer Mentoring Programme to help support with mental health.

Key stage 3 students are aspiring to support local feeder primary schools through transition programmes and activities.

The School Council benefits the whole school as it provides the opportunity for pupils to voice their views and influence school decisions to make a positive difference.