2. When we develop our School Council and understand its purposes we will:- help everyone in our school feel responsible for what goes on here build children’s confidence by giving them the chance to speak in public give everyone the skills needed to work with others help children get on together Help improve the school in many different ways

3. What is a … A school council is group of students who are elected to represent the views of all pupils and help to improve their school.

4. Each year, every class will elect two representatives to be members of the school council, one girl and one boy. The council will then meet to elect officers such as: Chair Vice- Chair Secretary Treasurer

5. The Chairperson:- Runs meetings and leads discussions. Helps to prepare the agenda. Talks to teachers and governors about what the School Council thinks and its ideas. Makes sure all the Council members are involved.

6. The Vice-Chairperson:- Keeps in touch with all the class representatives. Makes sure that everyone who agrees to do something actually does it. Leads meetings if the Chairperson is away.

7. The Secretary:- Takes notes (minutes) at meetings. Helps to prepare the agenda. Makes sure everyone knows when the meetings are. Keeps all notes safely in the Minutes Book.

8. The Treasurer:- Looks after the School Council’s money. Writes reports on how much money has been spent, what it has been spent on and how much is left.

9. Organise fund raising events Introduce ‘Buddy’ schemes Improve the school environment (e.g: litter, playgrounds) Represent their school at events Help welcome new children Make suggestions about behaviour and reward systems, school uniform, homework Help meet new members of staff or help make new appointments Visit other schools to find out about their Student Councils What sorts of things can School Councils do?

10. RELIABLE – remembers to go to meetings FAIR – takes everybody’s views to meetings THOUGHTFUL – considers your feelings A GOOD LISTENER – understands different points of view A GOOD SPEAKER – discusses things clearly ACCURATE & EFFICIENT – reports back from the Council Who makes a good representative? It is important to think who will do the job well and earn the respect of their class… someone who is…

11. Regular meetings A council that is not too big Class/Form councils that meet regularly Good communication between representatives and their class Prepare and do assemblies about their work Training for school council members Smaller groups (subcommittees) working on specific events or issues A bank account or budget (even a small one) Annual evaluations What makes a good…

12. The Communication Officer:- Makes sure that parents, governors and the community know what the School Council is doing. Keeps the School Council web page up to date. Uploads the Minutes and Agenda onto the web site.

13. Meet every week Report back in assemblies Have a notice board Report to childrenReport to Teachers Put information on the school website Train school council members Record what happens in meetings – write minutes Report to governors

14. Would YOU like to be considered for a position on the School Council? ?

15. This is called ‘ Standing ’ for election. If you want to ‘stand’ for election you will need to talk to your class to tell them your reasons and persuade them to vote for you! I would make a good School Council representative because…

16. Vote for the person who you think will make the best School Council representative.

17. At the first meeting:- Vote in the Chair, Vice- Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Communications Officer. Give out notebooks to the representatives. Make a list of the things you would like to discuss. Create a ‘short-list’ which will become the ‘Agenda’ for the next meeting. Agree who will do what jobs and how the School Council’s ideas will be explained to the school. Set a date for the next meeting. At the first meeting:-

18. Meeting Checklist Take a register of the representatives present Follow the Agenda Write a record of what is agreed (Minutes) in the Minutes Book Agree who will do what jobs, and by when and make a record Meet with the Head Teacher to agree actions and discuss ways forward Put the Minutes and Agenda on the Notice Board Representatives to explain to their classes what has been agreed Communications Officer to update web site