School Council

The School Council gives pupils the opportunity to share their ideas, represent their classmates and help improve school life for everyone. Through regular meetings, discussions and projects, children develop confidence, leadership skills and a strong understanding of teamwork and responsibility.

At our school, pupil voice is highly valued and children are encouraged to take an active role in decision-making. The School Council helps ensure that pupils feel listened to and involved in shaping their learning environment and wider school community.

Children's Rights

For many years, decisions about children were made entirely by adults. Over time, it became clear that children should also have the opportunity to share their views, especially on matters that affect them directly.

Countries around the world agreed that children should have rights and created a law called the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Governments recognised that adults should listen to children and take their opinions into account when making decisions.

Article 12 of The Convention on the Rights of the Child

Article 12 states that children have the right to express their views and for those views to be considered when decisions are made that affect them.

Schools work best when pupils and staff work together, listen to each other and share ideas. The School Council is one of the ways we encourage pupil voice and make positive improvements across the school.

Elections

School Council elections take place at the beginning of each academic year. Pupils from Year 1 to Year 6 who would like to become a School Council Representative inform their class teacher and stand for election.

Candidates prepare a manifesto explaining what they would like to achieve for their class and the wider school community. Pupils then vote by secret ballot to elect their representatives.

Class teachers also select an additional representative for each year group. Votes are counted and the results are announced during assembly.

The Role of a School Councillor

School Councillors are elected by their classmates to:

• attend School Council meetings and contribute to discussions;
• share information from meetings with their class;
• represent the views and ideas of their peers;
• help create and deliver improvement plans for the academic year.

School Council Meetings

School Council meetings give pupils the opportunity to work together, discuss ideas and help make decisions that benefit the school community. After each meeting, Councillors report back to their classes so that pupils understand what has been discussed and any actions that will take place.

Reporting Back

Reporting back helps keep classes informed about:

• what was discussed at the meeting;
• what decisions were made;
• what actions will take place;
• topics planned for future meetings.

Pupil Voice

The School Council discusses a wide range of topics throughout the year. Recent examples include:

• school uniform;
• school sports;
• raising money for charity;
• healthy eating and school lunches;
• playground rotas and activities.