A student from Strabane Academy has been selected as a member of the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly. Ted Cummings, from Strabane in West Tyrone, was one of 90 applicants chosen from a pool of 600 young people aged 12 to 16.

The Youth Assembly, established in 2013, is entering its third two-year mandate. It provides a platform for members to engage with the Northern Ireland Assembly and its committees on legislation and inquiries affecting young people. Members also undertake project work and consult with government departments through youth-led initiatives.

Cummings applied after seeing an advertisement on social media, with assistance from his teachers. He received confirmation of his selection last summer. He chose to join the education committee, citing concerns over A-Level guidance and commitment to STEM subjects such as technology, maths and physics.

Cummings has attended his first plenary session in November and a getting-to-know-you day with other members. He will serve for the next two years, representing West Tyrone.