School Council

The purpose of our School Council

• To express both their own views and those of other children.
• To communicate their feelings to adults.
• To attend regular meetings.
• To give up some of their personal time.
• To help make positive changes.

The class council rep records ideas in our class council files to send to the next Pupil Council meeting for discussion.

Class council meetings to take place half termly.

School Pupil Council:

School Pupil council meet every half term to discuss the ideas, decide on the most effective ways to change and improve the school and then talk to the people who can help to make it happen.

Pupil council regularly share news and information about new initiatives and the important things which are achieved

Members:

School Pupil council will be made up of representatives from years 1 – 6.

EYFS will be represented by a Year 6 Representative.

Each class will elect one representative who attends meetings and gives feedback.

Each class will also elect a vice representative who will attend meetings and feedback in the main representative’s absence.

Having been a member of pupil council for one year, children will then be unable to represent their class for the following two years to allow opportunity to a wider range of people.

Elections:

Elections will be run without prejudice or discrimination.

Any class member is entitled to run for School Pupil council and the decision in each class will be made by a secret ballot.

Children wishing to be considered for School Pupil Council will need to present a speech to their class giving clear reasons and examples of why they are the most suitable candidate for the job.

Officers:

Once elected on to Pupil Council as board members, children will be able to apply for specific job roles within the organisation.

These are as follows:

• Chair person
• Vice Chair Person
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Promotions officer
• Communication / Liaison officer

These roles will be elected by the board using the same election process as for School Pupil Council.

Job roles and responsibilities will be shared with all School Pupil Council members at the beginning of the year and job specifications will be kept in each class file.

Leaving school Pupil Council:

Should a member of Pupil Council wish to resign from their post they must write a letter to the Chair Person giving reasons for their decision.

Once a member has resigned they will not be permitted to reapply for Pupil Council in the future, unless there are circumstances considered to be exceptional by the board (e.g. serious illness).

In these circumstances, the vice representative from the class will become the main representative and a new vice must be elected as soon as possible.

Pupil council members may be asked to step down from their position if they repeatedly break Pupil Council rules.

Each member has three chances. Should they lose these three chances, they will be asked by the Chair Person to give up their role and leave.

Pupils asked to leave Pupil Council will not be permitted to reapply for a position in the future.

The School Pupil Council Rules are as follows:

All School Pupil Council members must:

• be respectful and listen to others
• contribute or participate actively in meetings
• follow the school rules and be role models to other pupils
• model good behaviour at all times
• be polite and courteous to others
• not refer to specific individuals or groups during discussions
• use their position on School Pupil Council to support and develop their school and peers and not abuse this position in any way

Meetings:

Pupil council will meet every half term . These meetings will last a minimum of 30 minutes.

Should additional meetings be required, these will be called as necessary.

The venue and time of meetings will be agreed at the beginning of each school year.

For decisions to be made at a meeting, there must be at least 6 members present (one form each year group wherever possible) and decisions are made through a “show of hands” vote in which the majority rules.

Class / Year group meetings should be held half termly to discuss and share ideas and feedback. These could be included in class assembly time and circle time as appropriate.