A specialist autism school in Sutton showed democracy in action last week as they held their own student elections.

Eagle House school on Brighton Road held a democracy week where lessons focused on the value of voting and candidates put up manifesto posters and conducted speeches.

Chair of Sutton Council's children, family and education committee, Cllr Wendy Mathys, visited the school to discuss her role as a councillor with the students aged 11 to 19.

Speaking afterwards, she said: "It was a privilege to speak to so many of the pupils and find out how interested and knowledgeable they are about the democratic process.

“It is so important that young people have a voice and are heard in their community. The school elections are a great way to teach them that voting really can make a difference.”