School Council

What is a school council?

A school council is group of students who are elected to represent the views of all pupils and to improve their school and make an important and positive impact on the whole school. It is run by students and supported by staff.

School councillors require certain skills, which staff will support you to develop, such as the ability to be a good listener, non-biased and a good role model. These qualities help to achieve realistic goals. School council helps children to develop further skills while reinforcing those they already have and giving them a sense of responsibility and achievement.

What do the school council do?

A school council does a number of things:

· The school council meets – usually with a teacher present – to discuss and sort out problems. These may include school lunches, behaviour or ideas for fundraising events.

· Members of the school council will be responsible for carrying out the ideas that have been agreed, such as planning discos, writing newspaper articles, or meeting with catering staff.

What makes a good school council?

A good school council is one that represents the views of all students and gets things done. These are some things that make a council effective:

· Regular meetings

· That do not go on for too long

· With agendas that are kept short and interesting

· With discussion that focus on action

· A council that is not too big

· Good communication between representatives and their class

· Training for school council members

· Smaller groups (subcommittees) working on specific events or issues

· The school council can build up momentum and get exciting projects moving.

· Issues that trouble pupils are dealt with swiftly.

· A bank account or budget (however small)

· Annual evaluations

Do they get anything done?

Many school councils just talk. Good school councils do get things done and examples include councils who:

· Successfully campaigned to the local council and got their toilets sorted out

· Re-designed the school cafeteria and lunch menu

· Reduced bullying by introducing a telephone helpline for victims

· Designed a new homework diary and sold over a thousand copies

· Changed the school uniform from blazer and tie to comfortable sweatshirts

Progress we have made at Ormiston Latimer

· We now have a school uniform

· Improved school environment/facilities

· Monthly Jack Petchey Awards

· Rewards for good behaviour-tutor group trips out

An evolving school dinner menu

Other issues that the school council may look at

If you are interested in joining the school council please speak to Pat Ryan – [email protected]