Our School Council aims to encourage our children to:
- · Develop confidence and responsibility and make the most of their abilities
- · Prepare them to play an active role as citizens in a modern day Britain
- · Develop healthy, safer and active lifestyles
- · Develop good relationships and respect the differences between people
- · To have a “voice” and to share their opinions and ideas with others
Why?
The Department of Education (DE) is keen to support all schools to have structures in place, which allow pupils to have a real say in issues that affect them and to know that their opinions count. School Council is one way in which schools can try to encourage the involvement of pupils, but there are many others.
Our School Council aims to ensure our children have:
- A safe, happy and fair learning environment
- A forum to voice their opinions/concerns and act upon them
- A structured opportunity to learn problem-solving skills
- An opportunity to take an active role in the organisation of the school
- An opportunity to experience a democratic process (British Values)
Our School Council should give pupils the experience of:
- Planning, organising and monitoring small projects
- Speaking and listening skills
- Debating skills
- Negotiating skills
- Basic budgeting and managing money/fundraising
Elections:
Class elections will be held at the start of each year so that different representatives can put forward their election speeches. Two candidates will be elected from each Year 6 class – one male and one female – and one representative from every other class in school. This means we will have 16 members of the school council from Year 6 to Reception age.
Organisation:
- Two representatives from each Year 6 class
- One representative from each class from Year 5 to reception
- Lead teachers – Mr S Belcher and Mrs S Hall
- An agenda is to be organised by the lead teacher
- Minutes will be recorded
It is a very responsible job, and School Council Members will share information with their class, and get ideas and views from pupils by talking.
Link between the School and Class Councils:
Each class will allow time in their day after a school council meeting to discuss the meeting/topic. If a matter rises or a great idea occurs to help the school, the issue will be presented to the School Council through the class representative at the next meeting.
Running the School Council Meetings:
The School Council will vote for a chair. This is the person who makes sure everyone gets a turn to speak and encourages all members to contribute (from Year 6) . In addition, the School Council will ensure someone takes notes during the meeting (vice chair-from Year 5 or 6) and the notes will help the classes discuss the meeting. The minutes from the meeting will be updated to the school website.
Giving Feedback to Pupils:
Following the School Council Meeting, School Council Members speak to their class to let them know what is going on and tell the class about the issues being discussed and what is happening next. This will encourage more children to contribute to further meetings, share worries and let members know the things, which could be done to improve the school. The school will record School Council Achievements on the school newsletter, via the school website and Twitter.