At the end of 2002 over one hundred young people of secondary school age were invited from schools, colleges and other education providers throughout Birmingham.  They were encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings about their school experience through:

• presentations from the Black Rights of the Child organisation, Kingstanding Youth Inclusion Project and Frankley Community High School, sharing positive and negative views on school attendance;

Visit the Young People's Parliament web site

• a 'Who wants to be a millionaire' style questionnaire, using the YPP high tech voting system;
  
  
• a chance to air their views about a new advertising campaign called 'Grow Up 'n' Go to School', from Galaxy FM, designed to reduce non-attendance;
  
  
• circle time sessions, facilitated by Attendance Support Workers from Pupil Watch, using games to engage the pupils and question them about non-attendance.

The aim of the conference was to hear the views of young people directly.  Pupil Watch continues to value this input.

Information about the Young People's Parliament is available at the YPP website.