A school council can be defined as:
"An elected body of pupils whose purpose is to represent their classes and to be a forum for active and constructive pupil input into the daily life of the school community."
Most schools in Basingstoke & Deane have school councils and use them to listen to the views of pupils, which has been seen to have a number of benefits to both staff and pupils.
In schools of several hundred pupils, ‘listening to their views’ is easier said than done and therefore school councils help to give structure enable young people to communicate and take responsibility for aspects of school life.
The term ‘school council’ is used as an inclusive term for similar student representative bodies such as pupil or student council, school parliament or school forum.
If you want to learn more about School Councils there are a number of places to visit to get more information.
1. School Councils UK – visit www.schoolcouncils.org
2. English Secondary Students Association – visit www.studentvoice.co.uk
3. Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council - Officers are also on hand to help promote the benefits of school councils, help pupils understand the qualities of a school councillor, facilitate school council elections, train school councils through a number of methods tailor made for your school. The following schools have benefited from assistance from BDBC:
Manor Field Junior School
"The development of Pupil Voice is a key feature of Manor Field Junior School. In common with most schools we have an active school council which has been supported by Mike Nicholls (Corporate Youth Officer) and his team at the Borough Council to ensure the whole school understands that this is their first step towards being part of a democratic process. This has helped us develop a shared understanding of Article 12 of the UN Convention for Rights of the Child, which states that all pupils “have the right to say what you think should happen when adults are making decisions that affects them, and to have their opinions taken into account.”
We allocate a week in October to Democracy where pupils plan campaigns, debate and finally vote for their school councillors. To give a “real life” experience of balloting , we then hold a further campaign to elect a Chair person for the School Council. Mike not only plays an active role but provides us with ballot boxes, voting slips plus provide all the information required for the children’s experience to really impact on their understanding of democracy. This is a key feature of our Citizenship curriculum."
Jan Cushing - Headteacher
Ashford Hill Primary School
“Paula Chatterton and her colleagues at the Electoral Services Department give invaluable support to the school in preparing children for School Council elections and then organising the elections in exactly the same way as adult elections. This practice helps to give children a taste of democracy in action and was highlighted as an example of good practice in our recent Healthy Schools validation."
Sue Watson - Headteacher
For further information please contact on of the following Officers:
Corporate Youth Officer - Mike Nicholls on 01256 845338 or mike.nicholls@basingstoke.gov.uk
Electoral Services Officer – Paula Chatterton on 01256 845298 or paula.chatterton@basingstoke.gov.uk
Community Learning Officer – Ann Wharton on 01256 845485 or ann.wharton@basingstoke.gov.uk
Please note that resources are limited and therefore although we will endeavour to assist it does depend on staff availability. Your school stands the best chance in receiving assistance the more notice is given.
Watch this space for details on available resources to support the local democracy element of the Citizenship curriculum later in the year.