School Council 101

What is a school council?

A school council is a group of students in charge of representing their fellow students to the board of governors. The
school council will take suggestions from students about anything that is important to them and discuss that issue in
their meetings, and try to resolve it. It could be about anything from school policies to fundraising.

Example of how a school council works:

A student would ask their councillor that they think the school produces too much waste. In the next council meeting
the councillor will bring-up this issue in the meeting. Then the school council will try and find a solution to this
problem. If the solution decided was the fact we needed more recycling boxes. The school council would then try
and find a way to supply them. Example: Ask the secretary to contact BCBC and ask if they would be willing to
supply us with more boxes, or send the councillor who brought up the issue and chairperson to go to the school
governors and ask if the school would fund the purchase of more boxes. The school council would work as best as
they can to resolve any issue.

What are the different roles within a school council?

Chairperson
Responsibilities:

 I will take control of our council meetings, making sure that all the councillors are present
 I will make sure that everyone has the opportunity to speak – I will try to teach everyone to wait their turn
whilst listening to what is being said
 I will make sure that the secretary makes a notes so that we keep a record of our meetings
 I might have to encourage the quieter councillors to join in
 I might have to invite other people to attend our meeting from time to time to help us decide something
 I will have to remind the councillors to report back to children and staff so that we all know what is going on
 I will write a list before our meetings – an agenda – so that we know what we will be discussing

Secretary (this role will be shared out among the councillors)

Responsibilities:

 I will write down notes at our council meetings so that we keep a record of what we talk about – these notes
are called ‘minutes’. I might write rough notes at the meeting and then copy them out neatly later.
 I will need to listen carefully and also take my turn to speak
 At the start of each meeting I will read out the minutes from the last meeting
 I will check that all the councillors are present and write down their names at the beginning of each meeting
before I start my notes
 I may be asked to write letters
 I may be asked to write reports about meetings for a newsletter or for governors and parents
 I may be asked to use the telephone
 I may need to use the computer to keep the minutes

Councillor/ Junior representative

Responsibilities:

 I will have to be a good listener when other councillors want to tell me their ideas or their problems
 I might have to tell the council something on behalf of someone else
 I can share my good ideas and make suggestions which will help to make my school a safe and happy place
 I can help to look after my school and everyone in it
Junior liaison officer
Responsibilities:

 I will have to assist the junior representative in their role

 I will have to spend time with the younger students, finding out what they think could make this school a
better place
 I might have to tell the council something on behalf of someone else
 I can share my good ideas and make suggestions which will help to make my school a safe and happy place
 I can help to look after my school and everyone in it

What qualities make a good school councillor?

 It helps to be a patient listener who can retell something at the request of another person
 It helps to be able to speak up for other people who may be too shy or afraid to speak for themselves
 It helps if good ideas and helpful suggestions flow freely
 It is essential to be able to take turns and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to say their piece
 It is useful to be observant and understanding with class members and peer group
 A willingness to work with others

How do I get to be in the school council?

All school councillors are elected into the council. The elections will be held within two weeks of starting the new
school year, and the first council meeting within five days after the election. If you wish to stand for election you will
need to submit your name to the head of elections. You must be willing to stand in front of your class and state why
you should represent them in the school council, and ultimately why you deserve their votes. The council will be
made up of seven elected members 5 senior councillors, 1 junior representative, and 1 junior liaison officer. Anyone
can stand for election but the five with the highest percentage of s will become councillors. The junior
representative and the junior liaison officer will be chosen by the head of the junior classes.

How will the election work?

Everyone who has submitted their name to the head of elections will say why they should be councillor. On the day
after this the elections will be held. Everyone who wishes to vote will approach the head of elections and state that
they would like to vote. You will be read the names of the candidates and you will answer yes or no to whether or not
you think they should be in the school council. The five with the highest percentage of out of all the people who
vote will become elected councillors.