Overview
Our approach to pupil voice has three objectives:
- To give children a say in how the school is run
- To provide the opportunity for children to hold positions of responsibility
- To give children experience of applying for roles
School Council
The school council have meetings every 2 weeks and these are over-seen and supported by Miss Gillies but led by the children themselves. We have a representative from each class and it is their responsibility to share their opinions and thoughts with the rest of the council, keep any important notes and report any developments back to the other children (and the teacher) in their class.
The council will also be expected to lead a school assembly from time to time in order to share our plans with the rest of the school. After all, they are the voice of the pupils.
In order to choose our School Council representatives, each class voted for who they thought would be a good candidate for their class. Before the votes took place, children were asked to put themselves forward if they were interested in the role. They had to deliver a speech to their peers explaining what qualities they display that will make them a good school councillor and how they will support with decisions made in and out of the classroom. Once all of the candidates had the opportunity to present to their peers, there was a voting process which simulated the way in which we vote here in the UK.
The council then meet three times across each half term in the following cycle:
Meeting 1: SEND OUT - Pupils choose a focus for the half term and go out to collect opinions on the matter.
Meeting 2: PREPARE - Pupils bring back the information they have gathered and prepare their thoughts for our formal meeting. They decide the agenda and attendees of the final meeting.
Meeting 3: DECISIONS - A more formal meeting chaired and minuted by our Year 6 councillors. The pupils run a meeting to present and discuss their ideas with SLT and other members of the school community.
FEEDBACK: Children feedback to their classes and in assembly.