School Council

The aim of the School Council is to:

Give children a voice.  Active participation allows them to develop as speakers, listeners and decision makers. This has a positive impact on their self-esteem. We want our children to feel listened to and empowered.

The School Councillors are democratically elected at the beginning of each school.  Although still in its infancy (the Council began in Sept 2009) the members contribution is respected and is beginning to feed into the school‘s development plans. The children meet regularly with staff and on occasions with governors to share ideas or raise concerns that have been put to them by other pupils in the school.  From these they put forward ideas for action.  They also organise fundraising and social occasions for their peers. These children are a credit to the school.

What happens now?

There is a distinct pupil voice that is listened to and pupil’s opinions are carefully considered and acted upon. The work of the School Council is acknowledged and supported by the school community.

How do we want our council to develop?

We want our Council to play a central role within the school; with its status elevated to one that ensures that the voice of the pupil is heard at all levels of decision making.

For example we have plans for the Council to take a greater part in formulating policies:

• Personal, social and health related issues take a high priority in the school and there are detailed policies that ensure that the child’s well being is of paramount importance.
• The Local Authority Travel Plan
• The Behaviour Policy
• To develop a policy for school council members which they adhere to.
• Our Act of Worship and evaluations

Although the headteacher has overall responsibility for the work of the School’s Council a number of Governors also take an interest and have attended meetings.

• The work of the school council is well known by Governors and they report on the impact of the work of the School Council in Governors minutes.

What difference does it make?

• The impact on pupils is significant – pupils are confident to bring issues to the school leadership and they feel that they are active members of the school community.
• The school leadership is aware of issues that the pupils raise ad are held to account by the pupils to consider following actions.