School Council

Twiss Green School Council

What is Twiss Green School council?

Our school council is a formal group of pupils within our school who are elected by their peers to represent them and their views.

Why do we have a school council at Twiss Green?

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.

School councils that are supported and nurtured helps to improve many aspects of school life for our pupils.

It is an important and useful way for Twiss Green to provide leadership and development opportunities for our 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.

 Roles and Responsibilities 

 The Chairperson - Beau Year 6

I am the Chairperson in charge of the School Council and have been selected by the other councillors. I help decide on the agenda – a list of items for discussion. I run the meetings making sure everyone has a chance to have their say. I make sure that decisions are agreed fairly and that a majority of councillors support the decisions. I try to make sure that we discuss everything that is on the agenda and that meetings keep to time. I need to be aware of things we are unable to decide on without first consulting others or carrying out further research.

Deputy Chairperson  - Jasper Year 6

I am the Deputy Chairperson. I am an elected councillor from one of the classes and I help the Chairperson decide on the agenda for the meetings. I stand in for the Chairperson or secretary if either of them is absent from the School Council meetings.

Secretary - Jessica & Joseph Year 6

We are the School Council secretaries chosen by the Council to carry out the paper work and administration. I help the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson in deciding the agenda for the meetings. At the meeting I write the minutes – a record of the most important points raised, any decisions made and how these decisions were reached. I make sure that each councillor has a copy of the minutes so that they can report back to their classes. I are responsible for the School Council file and keep it safe and up to date - the minutes from each meeting are kept in it.

The Councillors

I am a councillor who was elected by my class to represent them on the School Council. I suggest items for the school council to discuss based on what my class raises in circle time or class councils. I also feedback our discussions and any decisions made by the School Council to my class. I sometimes take on particular tasks for the school council if we are working on a special project.

Specific qualities needed to become a School Council Member:

As an individual, you may bring lots of additional skills and abilities to this role in particular, however to be a successful School Council member you need to:

• Be reliable.
• Be proud of our school and want our school to be the best it can be.
• Listen carefully to the views of others and take their ideas on board.
• Represent the majority view of your class, even if you don't agree!
• Commit time to this role and accept that you may need to do things during break times and/or lunchtimes.
• Be enthusiastic.
• Be kind and respectful.
• Be patient.