The new councillors in Upminster have a special interest in education – they’re all schoolchildren.

The St Joseph’s RC Primary School “pupil council” will be showing Havering town hall how it’s done as they learn about listening and asking and answering questions, and make suggestions about their environment – including how to improve school dinners and the playground.

And there were new faces all round as the council this week welcomed the school’s new headteacher – James Johnson, who has a particular interest in teaching youngsters about democracy.

“As the new headteacher, I have a special interest in ‘pupil voice’ as a method of teaching children about democracy, as well as helping them to take ownership of their learning,” he said.

“I’m really excited to be able to work with all the pupils, staff, governors and parents at St. Joseph’s in carrying out our mission in this corner of Havering and beyond.”

The pupil council consists of 12 children who are elected by their classmates.