School Council

Binfield Primary School Council is a proactive group of children elected by their fellow pupils to represent their opinions and think about new ideas to make sure our school stays happy, safe and exciting. The school council takes forward projects on behalf of the children from all classes. The children take on a wider role in the school by attending governing body meetings, taking prospective parents on tours, leading school initiatives and interviewing staff.

To be effective, our school council does the following:

• Represents all pupils and includes as many people as possible
• Takes time to listen to all children and communicate their views
• Feeds back to children about what happened about their views
• Makes things happen – or explains why they can’t!

Our School Council consists of 10 members. 2 from Y2, 2 from Y3, 2 from Y4, 2 from Y5 and 2 from Y6. The council meets regularly on Thursday lunchtimes (12:45 - 1:10) to review actions and plan ahead.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

The representatives are elected through a democratic process whereby, they have to write an application form expressing their desire to do the job and also highlight any ideas they have that would enhance the school and the school community.  They have to present themselves to their class and the rest of the children have to decide who they feel would do the best job. Two children from each year group are elected and they then have the opportunity to raise issues, share ideas and take part in discussions that involve all of their classmates in reaching a democratic solution. 

WHO ARE THEY?

Ten children are elected and they are presented to the rest of the school, along with them receiving their official School Council badges. After the first term, children on the school council will elect their Chair, Deputy Chair (meeting leaders) and Secretary (note taker) positions. 

WHAT WILL THEY BE INVOLVED IN?

Wider issues that arise are discussed further at School Council, this ensures that as many pupil voices as possible are heard.  Pupils at Binfield Primary know that this is their school and their thoughts and ideas matter. 

• Class council officials are nominated and then voted in by their class mates – they are not be chosen by their teachers.
• They will be involved in effecting change across school.
• From Wednesday to Friday a blank agenda will be up on the School Council display for the councillors to add their year groups' ideas and thoughts to. This will be taken down on Friday and sent out to the council on Monday to prepare for the meetings on Tuesdays. 
• The agenda will be presented in advance of meetings to ensure that all representatives are aware of what they will be discussing.
• The Chair will lead the meetings with a teacher assisting with the process. If the chair is unable to attend for any reason, the Deputy will lead the meeting for that week.
• At the meeting the Chair will raise the first item on the agenda and invite the person who wrote it to explain their point of view.
• The Chair will invite the rest of the group to discuss the matter and reach a resolution or next step. 
• The Secretary then makes a note of what has been decided in the minutes.
• A copy of the meeting will be typed up and displayed in the entrance hall on the school council display. 

OUR GOALS THIS YEAR 

At Binfield School we pride ourselves on being a proactive member of our community. This year we are eager to support both our local area and also be involved in national charity work.