Objectives of Presentation Remind you of the structure of the Student Council. Outline what the election process involves. Encourage each member of your Form Class to put themselves forward for election – why they should do their outmost to become a member. Give you a schedule/timetable for the upcoming elections.

Student Council Structure Year Council: One Representative from each Form Class who leads Student Council meetings, involving his whole (form) class and Tutor, noting the minutes and who meets with his Year Head. Key Stage Council: Two Representatives from each of Years 8, 9 and 10 who meet with Head of School/Senior Teacher. Three Representatives from each of Years 11 and 12 who meet with Head of School/Senior Teacher. Two Representatives from each of Years 13 and 14 plus ex-officio members who meet with Head of School/Senior Teacher. Senior Council: One Representative from each Year Group and ex-officio members who meet with Principal, Vice Principals, HR and Finance Manager and Student Voice Development Officer.

Why become a Student Council Representative? To have a significant and pro - active role in improving our school community. To have a direct input into developing our school. To formally and freely express your views on issues within our school, including areas that you would like to see upgraded such as: -School Library/study facilities/resources etc -Computer Rooms-availability/accessibility etc -Canteen-quality and range of food etc -Link Area -Sixth Form Centre -Toilets -Extra-curricular provision in the school -Buses etc

How do you become a Year Council Representative? Year Council members are elected by fellow pupils. You must stand for election if you want to become a member. PUT YOURSELF FORWARD! You will have to convince/persuade your Form Class that you are the best choice to represent them at Student Council meetings, airing their views. To put yourself forward for election, you will be required to compose and deliver a convincing manifesto/speech to your Form Class, detailing why you would best represent them. When all pupils have delivered their speeches, voting will take place. The pupil with the most votes must accept his position on the Year Council, being awarded with a Student Council badge and handbook.

How do you become a Key Stage and/or a Senior Council Representative? Key Stage and Senior Council Representatives are elected by fellow Year Council members. Again, you must stand for election. PUT YOURSELF FORWARD IF YOU HAVE BEEN ELECTED AS A YEAR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE! You will be required to convince your peers that you would best represent them at Key Stage and Senior Council meetings. To put yourself forward for election, you will be required to deliver your manifesto to fellow Year Council Representatives, detailing why you would best represent them. When all representatives have delivered their speeches, voting will take place. The Year Council Representative with the most votes must accept his position on the Senior Council and the runner up must accept his position on the Key Stage Council.

Schedule/Timetable for Election Day-Tuesday 11 th October 2011 Registration and Period one: (9.10am – am) Election of Year Council–delivery of manifesto (3 minutes maximum!) by all of those standing for election, then, voting takes place. The boy with the most votes in the class must formally accept the position offered. He will then be rewarded with a Student Council badge. Period two: (10.15am – 10.50am) Election of Year 8, Key Stage and Senior Council-there will be an opportunity for candidates to have an informal chat amongst themselves before listening to each others manifestos then voting will take place. Venue: Lecture Theatre Assisted by Mr Horner (Student Voice). Period three: (11.05am – 11.40am) Election of Year 9, Key Stage and Senior Council-there will be an opportunity for candidates to have an informal chat amongst themselves before listening to each others manifestos then voting will take place. Venue: Lecture Theatre Assisted by Miss Hughes (Head of Junior School), Mrs Hannaway (Year Head) and Mr Horner (Student Voice). Period four: (11.40am – 12.15pm) Election of Year 12, Key Stage and Senior Council-there will be an opportunity for candidates to have an informal chat amongst themselves before listening to each others manifestos then voting will take place. Venue: Lecture Theatre Assisted by Mr Mc Ilveen (Head of Middle School) and Mr Horner (Student Voice).

Period five: (12.15pm – 12.45pm) Election of Year 13, Key Stage and Senior Council-there will be an opportunity for candidates to have an informal chat amongst themselves before listening to each others manifestos then voting will take place. Venue: Lecture Theatre Assisted by Mr Trainor (Year Head) and Mr Horner (Student Voice). Period six: (12.45pm – 1.15pm) Election of Year 14, Key Stage and Senior Council-there will be an opportunity for candidates to have an informal chat amongst themselves before listening to each others manifestos then voting will take place. Venue: Lecture Theatre Assisted by Mr Johnston (Head of Senior School) and Mr Horner (Student Voice). Period eight: (1.45pm – 2.20pm) Election of Year 10, Key Stage and Senior Council-there will be an opportunity for candidates to have an informal chat amongst themselves before listening to each others manifestos then voting will take place). Venue: Lecture Theatre Assisted by Mr Horner (Student Voice). Period nine: (2.20pm – 2.55pm) Election of Year 11, Key Stage and Senior Council-there will be an opportunity for candidates to have an informal chat amongst themselves before listening to each others manifestos then voting will take place. Venue: Lecture Theatre Assisted by Mr Peoples (Year Head) and Mr Horner (Student Voice). Period ten: (2.55pm – 3.30pm) All sixty seven Student Council members assemble in the Lecture Theatre where they will be greeted by Mr. Mc Ginty (Principal) Mr. Madden, Mr. Bradley (Vice Principals), HR and Finance Manager and Mr. Horner (Development officer for Student Voice).

Importance of Student Council meetings Student Council meetings have proved very positive indeed, resulting in a lot of interesting issues/ ideas being raised by pupils who clearly enjoy participating in them. All of the issues raised are discussed in great detail by the SMT and have led to mass improvements in many areas of our school, including: -Open Evening -Canteen -Link Area -Sixth Form Centre -Computer Club -Toilets -Whole school community etc