Swanbourne House School Student Council

The main role of the school council is to exist as a formal way of making the views of Swanbourne  pupils known to the Senior leadership Team and to allow the pupils to feel valued within the school setting. It is not an executive body with decision making powers, but it is a forum in which School issues can be discussed, pupil concerns raised, and suggestions presented for Senior leadership consideration. Likewise, it is also a body to which the Senior leadership will present ideas for discussion and pupil feedback.  Council meetings will be entered into the school Calendar and take place once per half term.  These will be attended by all student reps from year 2 to year 8 and chaired by Senior Prefects and the Head of Years. The student council members are identified by their school council badge.   

Below are some of issues discussed throughout the year:

• How has the academic year started?
• Who can you talk to if you need support?
• How can facilities be improved?
• How can break and lunch times be improved?
• Raising awareness of Anti -bullying week
• Raising awareness of Children Mental Health week.
• Fundraising/Charity work.
• Providing feedback and suggestions regarding catering
• Providing feedback on the selection of extra-curricular club

Why have a school council?

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.

Experience from schools shows that a school council that is supported and nurtured helps to improve many aspects of school life.

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.

Who makes a successful School Councillor at SHS?

Someone who is:

• A good listener and speaker
• A team player
• Keen to make a contribution to improving our school
• Able to represent the views reliably of others within their House / Year groups
• Willing to give up some of their free time
• A good role model.

This year our student council is made up of 18 members.