School Councils Regulations
The Welsh Assembly Government has passed a law (Statutory Regulations) saying that every primary, secondary and special school in Wales must have a school council up and running by November 2006. Wales is the first country in the UK to pass a law like this.
The Regulations state a number of other things which schools must do in relation to school councils. These are set out below:
Schools must:
- Set up a school council if they are a primary (excluding infant and nursery), special or secondary school;
- Make sure that the first meeting of the school council is held no later than 1st November 2006.
- Hold at least six school council meetings a year. Ideally these should be evenly spread out so that a meeting is held at least once every half term.
- Make sure that all members of the school council are registered pupils of the school. (Schools on a single site could have one school council between them if they wish).
- Make arrangements for elections to the school council to take place through secret ballot.
- Make arrangements so that all year groups can be represented on the school council. (This does not have to apply to special schools).
- Ensure that pupils in Special Needs Resource Bases in mainstream schools can be represented on the school council.
- Ensure that any matter referred to the head teacher or the governing body by the school council receives a response.
- Make sure that all school councils meetings are supervised by an adult.
Secondary Schools can:
Nominate 2 of their members from years 11-13 to be Associate Pupil Governors on the school governing body. These nominations must be made by the school council, and the school governing body must accept them. The Associate Pupil Governors will not have voting rights on the governing body and cannot take part in consideration of matters relating to staff appointments, pay, and staff and pupil discipline.
Hyperlinks:
To see the school councils regulations in full click below.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/wales/wsi2005/20053200e.htm
