Student Voice.
Effective school council structures, which involve the whole school, can offer huge benefits to both the community and the individual. Here are just a few.
- Pupil councils provide a basis for active learning of important life skills, such as speaking and listening skills, teamwork, emotional literacy, problem-solving, moral reasoning skills, self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Pupil council experiences provide a dynamic foundation for learning about citizenship.
- Young people and children acquire skills which help them to become resilient to negative experiences.
- School and class councils enable pupils to have a voice and to understand that their opinions count.
What does an effective school council look like?
All pupils in the school are involved in the school council
- It is pupil-led
- It is part of the school’s ethos and practice
- It deals with the core issues of the school
- It makes a difference
What are the benefits of an effective school council?*
- Improved relationships between pupils
- Pupils have pride in themselves and their school
- Pleasant and equitable school ethos
- Improved physical environment
- Responsible behaviour
To enable this to happen there has to be:
- Full and active support from the head teacher and senior leadership team. Integration of pupil participation into the decision-making structures of the school. This should include all aspects of school life including teaching and learning, not just the physical environment and organising events.
Progress So Far
- School council already established and run every two weeks by Lee Thompson. One pupil from each class to attend. Minutes forwarded to SLT to be actioned (see example minutes).
- Students actively participate in the interviewing process of prospective employees to the school staff team- Dave Leeman
- School representatives attend international school council meetings at WISE.
What’s Next
School Development Plan Project Description: To develop the established work that has been undertaken to embed the school’s council within the school and develop that into the residential provision.
- To embed a student council within the residential setting. To ensure that minutes are taken and that the students see actions in terms of their council.
- To participate in joint ventures with the school’s council. Lee Thompson to attend residential, Nick Leng to attend school – allows for consistency in approach
Link to Latest School Council Minutes
Link to School Council Minutes archive
Voice & Influence Newsletter.