Brooke Weston students attend the Corby Youth Conference

Students from Corby aired their views on human rights issues at a children's conference. Four secondary schools and eight primary schools from the town sent student delegates to the 'ground-breaking' event at the Willows Arts Centre. Students set the agenda and there were 'youth facilitators' on hand to make sure they got the most out of the event. Students got plenty of opportunity to make their voices heard. Organisers put together a 'Big Brother room' so students could video their opinions, and there was also a 'graffiti wall' which they could write on and a suggestion box.

Peta Halls from the National Youth Agency canvassed opinions on topics such as 'All children and young people have the right to free education', 'Children should have the right to congregate freely in public open spaces' and 'Should the vote be given to under-18s?'

Brooke Weston student Rowan Priest said: 'We talked about children's rights, child abuse and self harm and we worked with Year 8s and 9 students from various schools.'

Josh Pickering said: 'There was a power point presentation about children in different countries and the abuse that happens there.'

The day was rounded off with a question and answer session with guests including Corby MP, Phil Hope.

Organiser, Danielle Stone said: 'It's a groundbreaking event. As far as I know Corby is the only town which has a children's conference run by children.'