IT was a key policy in Prime Minister David Cameron’s new government.

His “Big Society” idea aims to empower communities and get local people involved in local issues which matter to them.

Now two Huddersfield schools are championing the cause.

The idea was a central theme in the general election campaign and he said it was something that has underpinned his philosophy since he became Conservative leader in 2005.

He said: “There are the things you do because it’s your passion. Things that fire you up in the morning, that drive you, that you truly believe will make a real difference to the country you love and my great passion is building the Big Society.”

The schools backing the Big Society ideal are working together on a variety of projects aimed at improving their local community.

Students from Almondbury High School and Language College and King James’ High School are working together for the common good.

The project, launched in November, is led by associate headteachers Sandra Quarmby from Almondbury and Jacqui Armitage from King James’.

They are taking inspiration from the schools’ specialisms of modern foreign languages and science to work on the project.

This week year eight pupils from both schools worked in teams to create and construct a visual display based on the Marie Curie Nurses daffodil emblem.

They planted bulbs at All Hallows Church in the centre of Almondbury.

Sandra said: “The pupils are taking part in a Daffodil Challenge as part of an ongoing community cohesion project.

“The Daffodil Schools Challenge is an active citizenship and fundraising project for secondary school students aged 11 to 16.

“The challenge raises money that will help Marie Curie Nurses continue to provide care and support to people with cancer and other terminal illnesses.”

James Caan, of TV’s Dragons Den, who is supporting the Challenge, said: “The Daffodil School Challenge will help pupils learn skills in key areas such as planning, management, budgeting, communication and teamwork.

“These are fundamental skills for business no matter how big or small and lessons learned in these areas will be lessons learned for life.”

Also, as part of the project, pupils have been learning about cancer prevention and have conducted research into the life of Marie Curie and her work in the field of radioactivity.

They have also raised money for the Huddersfield-based Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust by bag-packing at Tesco in Huddersfield.

Ms Armitage, of King James’, said: “The Marie Curie project will involved us working at the church and planting up flowers to make a display reading ‘KJS and AHS Working Together’.”

In the summer, students from both schools would be fundraising again in the Almondbury Flurry fun run.

Other examples of the school working hard to raise funds as part of the Big Society idea are on Red Nose Day this Friday when local businessman Paul Plant of salon 3 Degrees at Titanic Mill, Linthwaite, is set to return to his old school in support of Comic Relief.

In an event organised by head of art Katie Wade, a team from his salon, including junior stylist and former pupil Shirelle Wilson, will visit the school to style hair as pupils raise funds.