School Student Council
Welcome to our School Council
What is a school council?
A school council is a formal group of pupils within a school who are elected by their peers to represent them and their views. A new school council is elected each year, with every class from Reception to Y6 nominating representatives. This creates a central group that speaks on behalf of the whole school and makes decisions about school life. We value the opinions of our pupils and the School Council gives pupils a forum to share these opinions with the Headteacher and other members of staff.
Why have a school Student council?
There are lots of reasons.
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 which impact upon them.
Experience from schools here and further afield shows that a school council that is supported and nurtured helps to improve many aspects of school life.
It is an important and useful way for schools to provide leadership and development opportunities for their pupils.
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.
What our School Student Council do?
Our school council work hard to hear the voices of the children. We allow children to give their views and suggestions and plan our school council meetings and action plans, based on what the children want. The members of the school council take their roles seriously and attend regular meetings, where they are passionate, mature, organised and overall help to improve school life for children at Higher Openshaw Community School.
What have we acheived.
- Planned summer fairs
- Organised fund raising activities
- Helped to design new and improved pupil’s toilets
- Set up litter picking playground rotas
- Allowed pupils time to complete pupil voice questionnaires
- Attended remembrance services and town hall ceremonies with the Mayor
- Chaperoned potential new members of staff around the school
- Worked with Key staff looking at online safety policies
Miss Airey School Council (Teacher representative)
Meet our School Council pupil representatives
Head Pupil Nominations for 2022
Congratulations to our potential head pupils. Their Speeches were enpowering, positive and we all look forwward to the announcement. It will be a difficult decision with all candidates worthy winners!
