William Harding School Council

We believe it is very important for all pupils to have a voice in our school therefore we have a School Council. 

What is a school council?

A school council is group of students who are elected to represent the views of all pupils and to improve their school.

How does this work at William Harding?

  • Each class has a school counsellor who is elected onto the school council by their classmates through an electoral process

  • Twice a term, the school counsellors attend a school council meeting

  • The School Council Suggestion Book collects all pupils views from the school council discussion session held in their classroom and any suggestions made are taken to the SLT

  • The School Council decides on charities to support with fundraising and awareness campaigns and makes connections with people from the local community

 How can pupils be involved?

  • Nominate themselves as a school counsellor and go through the selection process

  • Be an active part of the class school council sessions held in their classroom

  • Ask to be an observer of the school council meeting

  • Read the information board in the main school corridor to know what is going on

  • Talk to the School counsellors regularly!

 Who are our School Council representative?

The children who have been elected by their class members for School Council for the 2024/25 school year are:

Ada, Syblil, Cris, Layla, Isabella, Alex, Soha, Flo, Charlie, Isabella, Evie, Arjun, Finley, Nammh, Heath, Anaya, Charlie, Adam, Noah, Muhammad, Maya, Rares, Raheem, Isabelle

 Intent

At William Harding School, our school council forms an integral part of school life where all the members play an important part in school improvement.

Our aim is to facilitate Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which advocates the right of all children to say what they think should happen and to have their opinions considered when adults are making decisions that affect them.

At William Harding, we make a concerted effort to give children a voice, listening to them, respecting and responding to their views and, in so doing, enabling them to understand that their opinions count. The education system exists for children; ensuring their participation in that system and listening to their experiences helps them make the most of their education.

Implementation

At William Harding School our belief in the power of pupil voice ensures that the following is completed by our (and for our) School Counsellors:

  • School Counsellor Elections are held annually. Children will be nominated by their class members and teachers.

  • KS2 Pupils will address their class with a short speech as to why they should be their class’ School Council Representative for the upcoming school year.

  • From the nominated children, one child from each class (Years 1-6) is voted onto the council. Once the 26 members of the School Council are in place, monthly meetings commence.

  • We will ensure that the School Council is representative of the school community.

  • Pupil engagement and participation guidelines are used so that all counsellors are active participants. These will be signed by all participants at the commencement of Council Meetings.

  • All meetings encourage and promote mutual respect for all.

  • Encourage responsive and relevant engagement.

  • The language that is used is clear and appropriate to the age of the pupils (Year 1-6).

  • Pupils should understand the type of decisions their views can change (i.e. it is not a wish list).· Children will begin the school year by setting personal goals of what they would like to achieve as a member of the student council.

  • Pupils need to be trained, supported and encouraged to help them make positive contributions to issues that relate not just to them both in the schools and the wider community.

  • Pupils’ opinions are encouraged, listened to, respected and valued when taking decisions that impact upon them.

  • Organise School Council led trips and projects.

Communication channels: In order for William Harding’s School Counsellors to undertake their work, they will need to communicate with the following:

  • Pupils, parents and teachers need to talk to each other to make participation work.

  • School Council Badges will be worn daily to highlight the members to other pupils in the school.

  • A suggestion/comment box will be placed on the Windowsill next to the WH Student Council Board.

  • A dedicated school webpage.

  • Questionnaires/surveys to pupils or specific year group pupils that may need to be completed.

  • A Student Council Board outlining the current projects and successes.

  • Gain pupils’ points of view and then feedback pupils’ views on specific school development issues.

Impact

What are the benefits for the pupils?

  • Improved emotional Health and Wellbeing.

  • Development of life skills such as problem solving, negotiation and decision-making.

  • Increased respect for those that are different to them.

  • Enhanced confidence, self-esteem and motivation.

  • Familiarity with group, leadership and democratic processes;

  • Better personal, social and organisational skills.

  • Increased responsibility, involvement and commitment to the school and the community.

What are the benefits for the school?

  • Contented children.

  • Improved communication and relationships between staff and children.

  • Improvements in pupil behaviour and school ethos.

  • Improvements to the school environment.

What are the benefits for the community?

  • Empowered young people.

  • Improved relationships with parents and the wider community.

  • Valuing of education by parents and the community.

Click here to read all about our recent visit to the Houses of Parliament