POLITICIANS were held to account by members of a new Greenock pupil parliament.

The classroom has been turned into a debating chamber at Inverclyde Academy as students try to push through change at their school and the wider community.

Greenock councillors Jim Clocherty and Elizabeth Robertson joined West of Scotland MSP Neil Bibby for a special pupil parliament training day at the Cumberland Road secondary on Monday.

Joshua Hopkins, Inverclyde’s Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP), also attended.

The visitors shared knowledge from their respective political careers and fielded questions from the youngsters.

Pupil Sol McRobie, 14, said: “It’s good to communicate with everyone and explain what we would like done in the school and the community.

“I believe we can make change happen one way or another.

“Neil told us why he picked a career in politics and we learned that if there’s a debate about something then to try and settle it, talk about it calmly and understand the other person’s argument as well as your own and try to find some common ground.”

The Inverclyde Academy pupil parliament is made up of 33 young men and women from S1-5. Like Holyrood and Westminster they have also established their own committees to deal with specific issues, such as the ‘ready for work’ committee and ‘we are Inverclyde Academy’ committee promoting positive behaviour.

‘Presiding officer’ Scott McHendry, pictured right with Sol, who teaches modern studies and geography at the school, said: “The idea is to improve the pupils’ voice in the school, for them to have more of a say on what goes on and to be a decision-making body.”

MSP Mr Bibby was impressed by the budding parliamentarians.

He said: “The pupils are really interested in issues that affect their school, local community and wider afield and they asked a great range of questions.

“I remember being at school and having views about how things should be done so it’s good to see them having opinions and expressing their views and showing initiative.

“These are potential future leaders of the country and it’s very important that they have a voice.

“They are a credit to the school and their communities.”