Their action projects were judged by a panel that included Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman and their own headteachers, who were looking for the best schemes that have had an impact on the public.
The Year 8 pupils at The Compton School in North Finchley, where the judging took place, took part in a First Give extra curricular activity programme.
“The pupils exemplify what community spirit is all about,” the MP said. “I will be taking their passion, drive and enthusiasm for creating a better world with me back to Parliament.”
The 12 and 13-year-olds came up with ideas like basketball tournaments, bake sales, music video productions and an art exhibition to support the Art Against Knives campaign, as well as charity Barnet Mencap and the North London Hospice in Finchley.
The winning team earned an extra £1,000 for Art Against Knives charity that uses creativity to prevent youth violence.
The charity’s David Likinyo said: “We were so touched that the students chose us to represent to the public.
“Their voices are important to our mission, to see how passionate and insightful they were.”
The charity got the £1,000 prize from the First Give programme on top of the money the pupils have been raising for them, which would “go a long way in making a difference to young people’s lives”.
The programme gets youngsters to take collective action on social issues. The Compton pupils looked into causes that they care about and came up with schemes that involved research, teamwork and even public speaking.
The school’s co-headteacher Andrew Hammond said: “They took action to improve the lives of others in the community and showed the value of empathy and giving.”
The teams gave presentations to the judges, who included First Give trustees Barry Frankfurt and Sade Tairu, MP Sarah Sackman and headteachers Louise Ismail and Andrew Hammond, as well as the school’s two head students Ariya Shahkenedi and Eva Charles.
