Sixth-formers from Oakwood Park Grammar School in Maidstone have won a national competition intended to encourage youth engagement in politics.

The four youngsters took part in the contest organised by the Political Studies Association (PSA). Entrants were asked to develop ideas on how digital technology can be used to increase youth engagement with politics.

The team comprised Lawrence Whetstone, Sebastian Rocks, Daisy Bamfield and Rebecca Hudson.

Daisy said: “With YouTube as one of the biggest sources of entertainment for young people and the huge success of vloggers (video bloggers) like Zoella who has 2.45 million followers, we decided that the way to get 16 to 24-year-olds involved in politics would be by getting celebs and vloggers to do a one-minute talk about a political issue that affects them.

“Vloggers could even interview top politicians. We have already contacted some of the best known vloggers and we have already started this project by interviewing some of our local politicians ourselves and uploading the videos on the PSA Storify project and also on their website.”

Lawrence and Rebecca filmed Sebastian and Daisy as they interviewed Maidstone and the Weald MP Helen Grant and her challenger at the next election, Lib Dem candidate Jasper Gerrard.

Having won their regional heat, the team presented their idea to a panel of experts and an audience of 120 young people in the final along with 13 other regional winners from across the country. After a series of ‘Dragon’s Den’ style presentations, the Oakwood students’ idea was voted the winner.

Mr Gerrard said: “They asked some really tough questions that they had obviously researched well.

“As a former journalist, I was really impressed – even if they did have me sweating once or twice!”

Mr Gerrard said: “Students at Oakwood give the lie to the idea that young people aren’t interested in politics.

“Several have come to do work experience at my office and they are super-bright and super-interested.”

Mrs Grant said: “It’s fantastic to see students like these four so engaged with politics, and I was very impressed by their innovative idea.

“Huge congratulations to them for winning the competition.”

View their interviews here: