Why does school have a class/school council and what do they do?

“ There are lots of reasons to have a school council. To begin with, Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) says that children and young people should have a say in decisions that affect their lives. A school council can provide a meaningful way in which pupils can voice their opinions and have their views taken into account in decisions that impact upon them. Evidence and experience from schools all over the country shows that a school council that is supported and nurtured helps to improve many aspects of school life. It’s an important and useful way for schools to provide leadership and development opportunities for their pupils.

Student councils are a great way for students to take on leadership roles, promote the voice of the student body, problem solve and impact their community. A council serves as the voice for an entire student body and actively works with teachers and advisors to promote a better learning environment.

Within the school curriculum, one of the key areas making up the ‘Learning for Life and Work’ theme is active participation. The curriculum requires that young people are provided with opportunities to participate in school and society. School councils are an excellent way in which to increase participation, teaching young people about democracy, local and global citizenship and accountability.”

(https://www.twinkl.co.uk/teaching-wiki/school-council#anchor2 12/9/22)

At Rowan Gate primary school we want our class and school councils to be a safe space for concerns, suggestions, ideas and needs to be shared by members and on behalf of others.  

The council’s work will interlink with our nurturing schools, 5 keys, 10 keys to happier living and RSHE work across the school. (See yearly overview for how these will interlink/map over the year)

The RSHE Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education Statutory guidance for governing bodies, proprietors, head teachers, principals, senior leadership teams, teachers document from the DFE 2019 states that -

“The focus in primary school should be on teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships, with particular reference to friendships, family relationships, and relationships with other children and with adults.

55. This starts with pupils being taught about what a relationship is, what friendship is, what family means and who the people are who can support them. From the beginning of primary school, building on early education, pupils should be taught how to take turns, how to treat each other with kindness, consideration and respect, the importance of honesty and truthfulness, permission seeking and giving, and the concept of personal privacy. Establishing personal space and boundaries, showing respect and understanding the differences between appropriate and inappropriate or unsafe physical, and other, contact – these are the forerunners of teaching about consent, which takes place at secondary.

 56. Respect for others should be taught in an age-appropriate way, in terms of understanding one’s own and others’ boundaries in play, in negotiations about space, toys, books, resources and so on. “

Therefore one aim of the councils will be to support the children’s development of positive relationships, with the members being role models and support towards other children within class, playtimes and larger school events.  Within the work of the council there will be activities to support 4 areas of RSHE to include physical health and fitness, healthy eating, health and prevention and basic first aid.

School and class council will also be able to support and show how school follow the 6 nurture principles both within meetings and work around the school.

• Children's learning is understood developmentally.
• The classroom offers a safe base.
• Nurture is important for the development of self-esteem.
• Language is understood as a vital means of communication.
• All behaviour is communication.
• Transitions are significant in the lives of children.

They will also support and show the 5 keys –

• working together
• courage to be creative
• curiosity and wonder
• personal success
• Decisions and choices

And finally school/class council will underpin the main themes of Protective Behaviours work that

• We all have the right to feel safe all of the time
• We can talk with someone about anything, even if it feels awful or small.

As the council becomes embedded as part of Rowan Gate routines again (we have not had an active council since Covid19 pandemic) we will also support the work of well-being, playground routines, charity and school fundraising, whole school displays and a range of other activities such as future celebrations, theme days and events.

Year 6 pupils will be offered the opportunity to join the school’s council if they and teachers feel they can represent the following –

• Making safe choices to keep themselves and others safe
• Communicate about the school to children, staff and visitors
• Understand the differences and needs others may have and respect and support these

School council will be limited to 8 children per site per large term (e.g Autumn, Spring and Summer) when there is a larger cohort of Year 6 children

Each class will nominate a member of their class to be on the class council (this can be done by voting or staff choice- depending on the development levels and understanding of the classes)

Children on class council whether voted or staff nominated should be able to

• Communicate the needs, ideas and any concerns of their class (in whichever communication mode preferred)
• Communicate the actions, events etc of meetings to their class (in whichever communication mode preferred)

Due to the school being on different sites and growing numbers there will be a RGW and a RGE class and school council. The themes will be the same but meetings will be for each site. Meetings will be held once per term on a Monday or Tuesday afternoon.