Electing the School Council

Penglais is a large comprehensive school situated in Aberystwyth in Ceredigion. The school has a well-established school council which takes an active part in the life of the school, and which has also contributed to consultations about local policies and issues affecting young people.

This case study focuses on the process of electing the school council, and on the importance of communication, so that everyone is clear about roles, responsibilities and expectations.

The process of electing the school council at Penglais - in a nutshell:

• Beginning of September - information and nomination papers sent out toform tutors for Years 8 - 12, outlining the process of nomination for form reps to sit on the Year Councils. Click here for further details.
• At the same time a Memo is sent to Year 7 form tutors, explaining the process for Year 7 pupils, and suggesting ways in which they can exercise choice and initiative in the coming term.
  • Middle of September - election day. Main Hall set out with black ballot boxes, voting booths (borrowed from County Council elections officer) and table with clerks.
  • Classes arrive by rota system with their teachers, year group by year group. Weallow one lesson (60 minutes) for each.
  • Pupils line up; voting procedure briefly explained.
  • Each pupil goes to clerks and is marked off.
  • Pupils go to ballot booth marked for their form and read list of nominees for their form.
  • Pupils vote by writing in the name of one boy and one girl. We insist on secret ballot.
  • Pupils place ballot slip in black ballot box for their year group.
  • The whole process takes a day. Form six pupils are allowed to vote throughout the day, when convenient.
  • Following morning, a team of Year 13 pupils carries out the count.
  • 12.45 (during lunch hour) local councillor/school governor formally announces the results from the stage of the main hall.
  • Results are posted up.
  • A congratulatory note is sent to all form reps, explaining their role and the next step in the election process.
• The Heads of Year also receive a memo, and in the next few days arrange a meeting of all elected pupils (8 boys & 8 girls in each year group), who in turn elect one boy and one girl to be their year reps and form the school council committee.
• All Year 8 - 13 Representatives receive a letter of congratulations on being elected to the school council.
• A one-hour transition meeting is held, where the old and new committees together to encourage continuity. This is followed by one hour of brainstorming with the new committee to establish their priorities.
• The priorities are written up on the board in the SC office and can be seen by all pupils in the school.
• Year 7 elections are held at the beginning of the new term in January, when pupils have had the opportunity to get to know one another and to demonstrate responsibility.

An example of an article to the local press to raise awareness of the school council is available here.