School Council

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
• Develop healthy, safer lifestyles
• Develop good relationships and respect the differences between people
• To have a “voice” and to share their opinions and ideas with others

Why?

We value the benefits of operating a School Council. The School Council represents the whole school.  We feel they benefit the whole community and as a school we operate as a community. Through our School Council and class council work it is hoped that we can develop a balance and wholeness, helping to make our community more harmonious to live in. Our School Council work will enable pupils with positive attitudes to exert a positive influence.   Everyone will benefit from the work of the School Council.

Our School Council aims to ensure our children have:

• A safe, happy and fair learning environment
• A forum to voice their 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

Our School Council should encourage pupils to develop:

• A sense of ownership over policy and practice
• A consensus over school issues such as behaviour
• A responsibility towards the school community and environment

Our School Council should give pupils the experience of:

• Planning, organising and monitoring small projects
• Speaking and listening skills
• Debating skills
• Mediation and negotiating skills
• Basic budgeting and managing money

Our School Council aims to prepare our pupils for citizenship by teaching them about roles, rights and responsibilities within the school system.

Elections:

Class elections will be held every year so that different representatives can put forward their election speeches as well as developing the full potential of the School Council to complete tasks.  Two candidates will be elected from each class across our school.

Organisation:

• Two representatives from each class
• Link Teacher – Mrs Bowen
• An agenda is to be organised by the link teacher
• Minutes will be recorded by the children with support from the link teacher

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.

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. In addition the School Council will ensure someone takes notes during the meeting and the notes should assist the feedback classes receive after the meeting.

At the end of the School Council’s meeting, everyone needs to know what they have to do next. The chair needs to make sure members know what to do and what they have to say to their class.

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 and display these on the hall screen and parents newsletter.