Citizens Essex
During the summer term 2025 Westcliff High School for Girls, The Westborough Primary School, Prince Avenue Academy and Nursery School and Heycroft Primary School joined Citizens Essex, a group that galvanises organisations to collaborate in order to realise real change in local areas. Our schools will be working with a range of other schools and colleges from across Essex as well as representatives from religious groups, housing, food banks and the charity sector.
Two key events for this year
A Youth Assembly, held at UPS College on 15th October 2025 were pupils attended the launch event, the Big Listen, where young people ask: “What pressures do your family face?”
Responses will help shape the The Shaping Essex Assembly in March, where pupils may present their findings and question candidates directly.
Photo: Pupils at the October event of "The Big Listen"
The Shaping Essex Assembly, 24th March 2026
Schools joined the Shaping Essex Assembly at Chelmsford Cathedral, bringing together organisations from across Essex to campaign for improvements to transport, housing and mental health across the county.
Our pupils were excellent ambassadors, speaking confidently and eloquently both to the assembly and in one‑to‑one conversations. SEEAT schools have been asked to be part of the transport campaign working party, seeking improvements in cost, efficiency, frequency and safety.
The Assembly will spark future campaigns in the run up to the Mayoral elections in 2028, meaning all the shared challenges discussed helped shape potential solutions. The Leaders reflected on proposals, gave ideas of their own and recognised next steps.
The event ended with attendees raising ribbons to symbolise solidarity and a shared commitment to making Essex a safer, fairer and more inclusive place to live.
For more info:
Some inspiring examples here: Join us as a school - Citizens UK and an example from pupils at St Anthony’s School in Newham who have found their voice to fight for justice for care workers and on housing issues in recent years: ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE
