Election fever is gripping pupils as they prepare their own manifestos.

In an effort to teach students about politics, the New Rickstones Academy in Witham will hold its own pupil election for the new positions of head boy and girl in year 11.

The successful candidates will support the head boy and girl in the sixth form.

There will be ballot boxes, postal votes and a returning officer.

Vice principal Bob Pulman said: “We are trying to keep our election as close to the real thing as possible."