School Council

What is a School Council?

A School Council is a formal group of pupils within a school who are elected by their peers to represent them and their views.

Why have a School Council?

Lots of reasons!

Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child says that children and young people have a say in decisions that affect their lives. A school council can provide a meaningful way in which pupils can voice their opinions and have their views taken into account in decisions which impact upon them.

It can help to improve many aspects of school life and is an important and useful way for schools to provide leadership and development opportunities their pupils.

Within the school curriculum one of the key areas making up the 'Learning for Life and Work' theme is active participation. The curriculum requires that young people are provided with opportunities to participate in school and society. School council is an excellent way to increase participation, teaching young people about democracy, local and global citizenship and accountability.

Our School Council meets with Mrs Palmer each term. There is a pupil representative from each class present. We discuss anything that the children feel may improve school life and try to make positive changes. The class representatives bring their peers' ideas and opinions into the meeting and then let their class know what decisions or changes have been made. A suggestion box is also available for the pupils to use.