Evaluation of school council training material

We have had a school council for more than four years now. Council membership changes from year to year, the advantage being that it gives an opportunity to as many pupils as possible to participate in a democratic process. On the other hand, it is difficult to maintain continuity in the work and the same areas tend to be revisited.

Choosing form representatives:

We are a school of 600 pupils. A representative is chosen from each form with a deputy to cover for him/her in meetings, during absence. In addition, the head boy and girl are members of the council.

The choice is made during the first PSE Progress session in each school year. There are 12 PSE progress lessons in a year, led by the form teachers. This provides the main opportunity for representatives to report back and to discuss the council; they can also use the morning registration sessions. In this first session every form teacher gives a short presentation on democracy and what it means. Then the class is given an opportunity to put names forward. Should there be more than one then those pupils are requested to give a presentation in order to “sell” themselves for the role. An attempt is made to strike a balance between genders, e.g. if the representative is a boy, then the deputy will be a girl. The pupils choose by means of a secret ballot. As the registration groups are all of mixed ability, it has been possible to achieve diversity and give everyone an equal opportunity.

After the training, we realised that we could choose form representatives in a much more interesting way and we intend to introduce them in the new school year.

Holding meetings:

Usually, the form representatives are invited to meetings by means of a formal letter with an agenda attached. Meetings are held during lunch times in the school library and the representatives are given an opportunity to go and have an early lunch. Absences are very few and in most instances the deputies were sent in their place.

This year we have started to hold meetings in lessons as well, which gives far more leave and time to discuss matters and the activity is given a far higher status. Provided subject areas were not affected more than once, then staff were supportive. A combination of the two is the ideal.

Good Practice:

• Job description for all representatives
• Constitution
• The governors are addressed once a term
• A laptop for the secretary, to take minutes in meetings
• Training for the council secretary, by the school secretary
• A disk with sample minutes and letter templates
•  A letter sent to the homes of all representatives, in order to demonstrate the importance of the role in the life of the school.

“I like being part of the School Council because I like to think that the pupils’ voice is being heard”
Anna Year 8

“It’s a good idea having a School Council because it’s one of the best ways of improving the school”
Ioan Year 9

“I became a form rep because I wanted an opportunity to contribute to the life of the school”
Ioan Year 9

“It’s good experience getting to work with older pupils and school staff”
Ioan Year 9

“One of my biggest achievements was getting water fountains”
Ioan Year 9

“It’s a good idea to have a School Council to improve things and find out what pupils want and don’t want”
Tomos R Year 7

“Having a School Council is a good idea because it makes the school better and makes it healthy and safe”
Tomos R. Year 7

“It’s a good idea to have a School Council because it gives children the right to say what they think”
Catherine Year 7

“I became a form rep by getting people to choose me and then to vote for me”
Catherine Year 7

“One way of choosing a form rep is to have a quiz – Do you have the talent and skills to be on the Council?”
Sophia Year 7

“One great idea is to put pictures up around the school showing what the Council has achieved and showing the Council’s members”
Sophia Year 7

“A School Council is where children come together to sort out problems”
Geraint Year 7

“Having a School Council is a good idea because it helps children”
Geraint Year 7

“I became a form rep because I thought it would be fun”
Geraint Year 7

“It’s good working with staff and different pupils on the Council”
Geraint Year 7

“One of our achievements is that we’ve made the school a healthy place”
Geraint Year 7

“I’ve developed lots of ideas since being on the Council”
Geraint Year 7