Learning Council

How does our Notley Green School Council work?

Elections

Whole school and class elections are held every year at the beginning of the academic year.  Pupils from Year 1 to Year 6 who would like to become a School Council Member inform their class teacher and stand for election.  Potential representatives write a Manifesto, stating what they want to achieve for their class and school.

For Class Representatives, the manifestos are presented to the class and pupils are able to vote for thier chosen member. Voting is conducted anonymously and then winners are revealed once all the votes are in and counted!

Additionally, Head Boy, Head Girl and deputy positions are available to those children in Year 6. These are highly prestigious amongst the school community and those that gain this position have many events in which they represent the school. Manifestoes are presented to the whole school, including all adults. This is followed by a few days in which candidates can campaign by displaying posters on our allocated board. We hold an official ‘Election Day’ where the school hall becomes a Polling Station with screens, ballot papers and sealed boxes. As part of this day, the candidates are also interviewed by the Headteacher. Everyone in the school must vote.  Votes are counted and the election results are announced in an assembly by the Headteacher. It is an incredibly exciting time and a much anticipated event on our school calendar.

The School Councillor’s Role

School Councillors are elected by the pupils in their class to:

• attend weekly School Council meetings and take part in discussions;
• feedback from meetings through class councils;
• articulate the views of their peers at School Council meetings;
• create an improvement plan for the academic year and action the objectives.

School Council Meetings

A meeting is like a team, where everyone is working together to solve a problem or make a decision. After going to a School Council meeting, Councillors tell their class what was discussed and what decisions were made, so that other pupils know what the Council is up to. This may also be a time where whole-school opinions or ideas may be requested. This meeting is called ‘Class Council’.

Class Council

Class council informs the members:

• what was discussed at the meeting
• what was decided
• what is going to be done
• what will be discussed at the next meeting and an opportunity to gather thoughts and ideas.

Pupil Voice

The School Council discuss many agenda items throughout the year. 

Some examples of the issues that are frequently discussed at meetings are:

• school uniform
• school sports
• raising funds for charity or the school
• healthy eating and school lunchtimes
• playground rotas/zones
• Well-being or friendship projects