From next month, schools can let young people participate in governing bodies for the first time since the 80s, under the updated Listening to Learn plan.
Ashley Sweetland, trustee of the UK Youth Parliament, welcomed the plan, but said: "It doesn't go far enough. Although young people can participate, they are unable to vote on issues."
Carolyne Willow, national co-ordinator for the Children's Rights Allliance for England, said: "The major flaw is that a 17-year-old with six years' first-hand knowledge of how their school operates will be excluded from voting on an issue they care passionately about. By comparison, an adult newcomer to the governing body, with minor knowledge, could exercise full voting rights. That is a waste of young people's expertise."
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