Meet our School Council representatives for 2022-23

Introduction

The children decided on a new name for the council this year that represents what our aims are for the school council, which is to champion the voice of the pupil. They came up with the name ‘Equality Champions.’ They are also our Rights ‘steering group’ which means that they work with Miss Wallace to help teach the children about the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child. Their main focus this year, is to help achieve the ‘Silver Award’ for Rights respecting schools award. It will be a busy year!

Our Equality Champions aim to encourage our children to:

• Develop confidence and responsibility and make the most of their abilities
• Prepare them to play an active role as citizens
• Develop healthy, safer lifestyles
• Develop good relationships and respect the differences between people
• To have a “voice” and to share their opinions and ideas with others

Our Equality Champions aim to ensure our children have:

• A safe, happy and fair learning environment
• A forum to voice their concerns and act upon them
• A structured opportunity to learn problem-solving skills
• An opportunity to experience a democratic process

Our Equality Champions should give pupils the experience of:

• Planning, organising and monitoring small projects
• Speaking and listening skills
• Debating skills
• Mediation and negotiating skills

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Our School Council aims to prepare our pupils for citizenship by teaching them about roles, rights and responsibilities within the school system.

Elections:

Class elections will be held every year so that different representatives can put forward their election speeches as well as developing the full potential of the School Council to complete tasks.  Two candidates will be elected from each class from Year 1 – 6.

Organisation:

• Two representatives from each class
• Link Teacher

• An agenda is to be organised by the link teacher

• Minutes will be recorded by the children

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It is a very responsible job, and School Council Members will share information with their class, and get ideas and views from pupils by talking.

Running the Equality Champions Meetings:

The School Council will vote for a chair. This is the person who makes sure everyone gets a turn to speak and encourages all members to contribute. In addition, the School Council will ensure someone takes notes during the meeting and the notes should assist the feedback classes receive after the meeting.

At the end of the meeting, everyone needs to know what they have to do next. The chair needs to make sure members know what to do and what they have to say to their class.

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Giving Feedback to Pupils:

Following the Meeting, School Council Members speak to their class to let them know what is going on and tell the class about the issues being discussed and what is happening next.  This will encourage more children to contribute to further meetings, share worries and let members know the things which could be done to improve the school.  The school will record School Council Achievements on the school newsletter as and when appropriate.