School councils

We currently have three pupil councils in school. They are School, Health and Eco councils. Members are elected each year by the rest of the children who are eligible. (Years 2, 3 and 4).

The process starts with an introduction to the councils in assembly. Children are then given approximately ten days to decide if they want to stand for election and, if they are, to produce a poster at home. We then have an advertising campaign where children show their posters to the whole school and talk about why they want to stand for election. The posters are put on display so that everybody can look at them and decide who to vote for. Elections take place in the hall. Voters are reminded about the election process. Voting follows, every child can vote for a boy and girl in their own class, this takes place three times (one for each council). The votes are counted and successful candidates then receive their badges in assembly.

Each council is made up of six members, a boy and girl from Years 2, 3 and 4. Meetings are organised by those teachers who are responsible for each council. Councils work together in organising a timetable of events and fund raisers throughout the year.

The aim of the council is to encourage all children to feel that their ideas and opinions are respected. To this end, suggestion boxes are in classrooms and children are encouraged to ‘post’ their ideas which are then discussed at council meetings. The children take their responsibilities very seriously. These organisations provide a tremendous springboard for understanding Citizenship and democratic decision making.