A PIONEERING pupil parliament has helped bring new events and activities to a local secondary school.

A new garden, a movie night and a special fundraiser for those with autism are among the projects that Inverclyde Academy's pupil parliament have planned for their peers.

The enterprising youngsters stepped up to help steer the the project, which teachers say has been a big success since it returned post-pandemic.

Teachers Gioia Demelas and Sarah MacPherson, who have been helping the pupils run the parliament, are proud of the leadership being shown by their students.

Gioia added: "I picked up the running of the parliament when the school came back and rejigged it into individual groups focusing on specific themes like sustainability or sports, with a teacher working with each one.

"We have plans for what they want to achieve in each year and also a three year rolling plan.

"It's been really successful - there are so many amazing things the children are doing through it.

"The pupil parliament goes beyond the learning, these kids are making bonds with people outside and bringing people in.

"The more that we can put on for our young people to give them as many opportunities as we can the better.

"It's fantastic seeing pupils taking the lead and being passionate about this."

The parliament has already organised a host of events, with more to come throughout the rest of the school year.

Its communities group ran a Christmas movie night to invite families into the school at the end of December, while its sports council ran an S1 dodgeball tournament.

The sports group organised an active girls day in October of last year, which brought representatives from organisations such as Morton and Greenock Wanderers into the school to promote sport to female pupils.

The parliament's autism inclusion group are also planning to hold an awareness event at the end of March to raise money for loop earphones.

Niamh Hillier, who is part of the parliament's sustainability group, told the Tele how they are pushing to create a new garden at the front of the school.

She said: "We're going to look at growing our own produce, like vegetables and having flowers.

"It's been great being part of this group and working on this issue."

While many of the groups organise events, others focus on addressing day-to-day issues within the school.

One functions as a forum for pupils to share their concerns while older pupils have helped teach their younger peers about speaking out through the school's violence protection group.

There is also an equalities group, which recently received the LGBT Bronze Charter mark.

Olivia Thomson Baynes, part of the autism inclusion group, said participating in the parliament has been a fulfilling experience.

She added: "Our group is aiming to raise awareness about the things that should be done in schools to help autistic children feel more welcome.

"We'd also like to pair up with our feeder primary schools and get their opinion on what would make the transition to high school easier.

"It's been really useful to have these groups."