THE intense debate over the future of Britain’s EU membership has spread to classrooms as a school staged a mock referendum.

The girls and staff at Queen Mary’s School, Topcliffe, near Thirsk, posted referendum forms at their own polling station after hearing arguments to remain in the EU from former Thirsk and Malton MP Baroness McIntosh and to exit from Professor Richard Roberts.

Year 10 pupil Heather Humphreys said she had voted to leave the EU as Britain would be more able to direct its finances to where they were most needed.

Her classmate, Frederica Crouch said she had voted to remain. She added: “We will lose out on a lot if we leave and it’s better to work together.”

Year 5 pupil Jovie Storey said she remained undecided due to the range of views that she had heard.

The count found 66 per cent of the school community wanted to stay in the EU.

School head Carole Cameron said: “We have a responsibility to educate young people to make wise decisions about their lives and the lives of others; holding a school referendum should enable them to understand and engage in democracy in a meaningful way.”