Students from Dixons Unity Academy in Armley have been rubbing shoulders with the likes of West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove.
They attended the Convention of the North on Friday, 1 March at the Royal Armouries Museum. The event assembled business, political and civic society leaders with an influence in the North, and also gave a voice to young people on the challenges and opportunities in the region.
Dixons Unity Academy student Chiedza took the stage to address the audience about teenage crime and pregnancy. She said: “BAME teenage girls need more non-for-profit organisations for maternal health to come from council funding, and they need acknowledgement.
“Around 20% of young people have access to drugs and alcohol, leading to misuse; smoking in pregnancy rates are higher in Leeds than national rates and are significantly higher amongst girls who are under 18 years of age at the time of delivery.”
Other students from the academy also had the chance to network with local government and private sector leaders in the key areas of transport, energy, trade and investment, health and culture.
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