Samia, a year 12 student at The Compton School was elected to the local representative body following a campaign focused on safer streets reports Julianna Nauman

A young woman holding a hexagon shaped glass trophy — Barnet Young Parliament member, Samia (Credit – The Compton School)

A Finchley school has celebrated the election of one of its students to a forum for young people in Barnet.

Samia, a year 12 student at The Compton School in Summer Lane, was elected to the Barnet Youth Parliament in March. Her election campaign titled ‘Safer Streets’ focused on improving safety for young people across Barnet, particularly girls and young women.

She highlighted the importance of personal safety, and how concerns can undermine confidence, wellbeing, and participation in everyday activities, isolating people from the community. Samia called for practical improvements to public spaces and a broader cultural shift to ensure all young people feel safe in the borough.

24 candidates across the borough ran and Samia secured a two-year term after a vote of over 4,300 ballots across 10 schools. The election results were announced at the Hendon Town Hall, where several senior education leaders, including the director of education for Barnet Council, attended.

Key Stage 4 Leader at The Compton School, Shurki Hasan Kemal, said: “Samia’s election is a fantastic achievement and a real moment of pride for our school community. It shows our students that their voices matter and that they can play an active role in shaping their local area. Her success will inspire others to engage with issues that are important to them and to see themselves as future leaders.”

Samia’s term officially began on Wednesday, 1^st April. For the next two years, she is tasked with contributing to campaigns that improve the lives of young people across Barnet and representing her peers at local and national debates, including an annual sitting in the House of Commons.

Louise Ismail, co-headteacher at The Compton School, said: “We are delighted to see Samia stepping into this role, and we have every confidence that she will make a meaningful contribution to Barnet and the wider community. Her achievement is a testament to her character, her commitment, and her leadership. She is a credit to her family and to The Compton School.”

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