Hackney Schools

Having not accomplished very much this week on the dissertation front (including a failed attempt to see someone at the Hackney Gazette) I finally pulled my finger out this morning and started sending requests to schools in Hackney that have a sixth form.

My aim obviously is to start getting the views of young people who will soon have their first opportunity to vote, as well as their teachers. So far, from what I can work out there are six schools which have a sixth form. These are Hackney Community College, The Bridge Academy, Cardinal Pole RC School, Our Lady’s Convent High School, Skinners’ Company’s School for Girls and Stoke Newington School. I’ve sent all of them an email, with the exception of Skinners’ whose email and website both seem to not be working at the moment, asking whether I can hand out some questionnaires.

Clearly students in sixth form are not necessarily going to represent the views of the entire age group but I their responses should give me some good insights in to where the minds of motivated and intelligent young people are on these issues.

HCVS Help

I forgot to mention the other day that Linda Smith did not ignore my correspondence but actually sent back some very useful comments which pretty much answered all of my questions regarding her thoughts on the potential of new media in political communication. I’ve also had a couple more questionnaires back from Team Hackney members and an offer of some extra help from the Hackney Council for Voluntary Service who might be able to get me in touch with more people to speak to. Obviously I’ve told them that all help is welcome so we’ll see where that leads.

Team Hackney Answers

We’ve been down in Brighton over the weekend celebrating one of my best’s mates birthday. Actually the celebrations started on Wednesday when we went to see Dave Matthews at Wembley Arena (my mate Dan’s a massive fan!). Anyway, meanwhile responses have come in from Team Hackney members Laura Sharpe and Steve Dann. At first glance they both seem to be remarkable positive about the potential of new media in political communication in particular when it comes to re-engaging young people with democracy. I still need a few more answers from politicians to make up my required sample but overall progress is being made.