School Council

AIM:

To give all pupils an element of responsibility in deciding how certain areas of the School should be organised.

OBJECTIVE:

To become aware that their ideas are valued and worth implementing;

To gain in confidence;

To understand the procedure of formal meetings.

This is an important feature of the School's pastoral organisation. It gives a wide number of pupils the opportunity to sit and discuss important issues with senior staff.

Their ideas and suggestions are taken very seriously and many have been implemented during the last six years.

Each form elects a council member in September. Meetings are chaired by the Headmaster and attended by both Deputy Heads and all the Heads of Year. The secretary and treasurer are elected from the School Council members, and all minutes are kept by them. Form groups are asked for items for the Agenda during the week before the meeting and all pupils are encouraged to participate. Any-one bringing forward and agenda item has to give a reason for bringing it to the meeting. Council members then report back all items discussed at meetings and their outcomes.

This is, without doubt, one of the most successful ways of giving pupils a sense of responsibility.

The Year 7 pupils gradually gain in confidence to put their views before senior members of the school and are treated with respect by all members of the council.

The senior pupils feel the close relationship between the senior staff and themselves and when they see their initiatives become a policy of the school they value the organisation of the school council.