St Michael’s School Council provides a meaningful way in which pupils can voice their opinions and have their views taken into account in decisions which impact upon them. It is an important and useful way for us as a school to provide leadership and development opportunities for our pupils.

“We all have a say in what happens at St Michael's. Together, we will make a difference.”

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. We have a group of children who are made up of KS1 and KS2 pupils.

At the beginning of the school year, every class elects one representative to be a member of the school council. 

In our school we run a combined infant and junior council. We meet together every fortnight.

How does the School Council work?

The School Council leaders lead the meetings. Class representatives or teachers bring issues to the School Council. Class representatives keep a note in their class school council book of any ideas given by the other children in their class and then raise these points at the following meeting. Class representatives feed back to their class as soon as possible after a Council meeting. There are minutes written up and put on the School Council board as well as the school website.

Members of the school council attend regular meetings with other School Council members from each class. They take ideas and suggestions the class have to bring back from the meetings ideas, information and suggestions to their class and encourage them to listen, discuss, share their views and, where necessary, vote on actions that need to be taken.

Council members help to organise charity events throughout the year. They encourage the pupils in their class to be aware of their school environment and to respect and care for it.

Meet our School Council:

Our school council is formed of KS1 and KS2 pupils, who were elected by their class members, to represent the views of all pupils and to improve our school.

Term 1 & 2 Meetings 

This year, each class participated in a democratic process to elect their School Council representative, reinforcing our commitment to core British values of democracy, respect, and individual liberty. Each candidate created a manifesto, presenting their ideas to their peers to explain why they would make an effective school councillor and how they hoped to benefit the school community. 

Term 1 Focus: Safeguarding and Online Safety

Since the beginning of Term 1, the School Council has focused on safeguarding, addressing important questions such as:

• What does safeguarding mean for students?
• How does our school ensure everyone’s safety?
• How can we stay safe online, at school, and at home?

School Council representatives led presentations in each class, sharing key safety messages and encouraging open discussions on personal safety and well-being. Following these presentations, the Council conducted a pupil safeguarding survey to assess students’ feelings of safety and gather valuable feedback. Results were very positive, showing that:

• Students generally feel safe at school.
• Most students can identify trusted adults and know how to seek help or support if needed.
• Students feel confident expressing what keeps them safe.

These insights have helped the School Council identify key areas to prioritise in their ongoing agenda, ensuring that safety and well-being remain central to all school activities.

In addition, the Council plans to work with Restorative Justice Champions to reinforce positive friendships and support anti-bullying efforts, fostering a more inclusive environment. To further enhance safety and enjoyment during playtimes, the Council will also collaborate with the Sports Crew and playground staff to introduce new activities that make playtime safe, structured, and inclusive.

The Council also reviewed the child-friendly safeguarding policy and shared it with each class, reinforcing students’ understanding of the policies that protect them. They have contacted the NSPCC to schedule a school-wide assembly on safety, both online and offline, and are awaiting confirmation on the dates.

(Please see the results of the survey here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/AnalysisPage.aspx?AnalyzerToken=xSrwcCM0CmiHxFXt2xJWVBvkz68nNsCE&id=HHokQxtRbUqjXgnURaLm-M9RvG5K689IlV5YI3of2eFUM0tKUUNNQkVRNkZORUs1OVpCS0VVUzA4TS4u) 

Learning Walks and Environment Feedback

Feedback so far from the learning walks, highlighted that classrooms are inviting, engaging, and feature key learning displays that support students’ understanding across subjects. To further improve these areas, the School Council suggests adding soft furnishings to all reading areas and showcasing more student work and voice to celebrate achievements and reinforce learning.

(Please see the results of the learning walk so far here-Y5 and Y6 still to be completed: https://forms.office.com/Pages/AnalysisPage.aspx?AnalyzerToken=vWeXahkboaQuDK8pwzgm3MGhJsQYIX8N&id=HHokQxtRbUqjXgnURaLm-M9RvG5K689IlV5YI3of2eFUMUpYVUYwMTlZUVUwMkhZTEY1MVcwNE0xMS4u)

UK Parliament Week and Democracy in Action

The School Council is preparing a child-led assembly for UK Parliament Week to educate students on democratic principles and inspire active participation. This aligns with our commitment to empower students with an understanding of their role in civic life and encourage engagement with democratic processes.

Enhancing the Epraise Reward System

Finally, the School Council is working to enhance our Epraise reward system. Based on student feedback, they are seeking to collaborate with the PTFA to fundraise for prizes, ensuring that rewards in the Epraise shop align with student interests and promote positive behaviour and achievements.

Academic Year Agenda and Student-Centred Initiatives

The School Council’s agenda for this academic year reflects feedback from their peers and aims to enhance the school experience in meaningful ways. Key initiatives include:

1. Tuck Shop Reinstatement – Plans are underway to reopen the tuck shop, providing a healthy snack option during break times.
2. Hydration Stations – Representatives are advocating for accessible water fountains or hydration stations on the playground to encourage hydration.
3. Mindfulness Opportunities – Students expressed interest in yoga and meditation sessions to support mental well-being.
4. Strengthening Pupil Feedback Loops – The Council will continue to seek student input through surveys, using feedback to guide future initiatives.
5. Bullying Awareness and Positive Relationships – The Council will work closely with Restorative Justice Champions to educate students on bullying, positive friendships, and conflict resolution.
6. Enhanced Playtimes – To improve playtime experiences, the Council is collaborating with the Sports Crew and playground staff to introduce structured activities that make playtime safe, engaging, and inclusive.

7. Promoting Protected Characteristics – The Council will focus on promoting understanding and respect for protected characteristics, helping students appreciate the diversity within their community. This initiative aims to foster inclusivity and prepare students to embrace equality, kindness, and mutual respect, in alignment with British values and the ethos of our school.

8. Improving the Epraise Reward System – Based on student feedback, the Council is working to enhance the Epraise reward system by gathering ideas from their peers on desired rewards. They also plan to collaborate with the PTFA to raise funds for prizes, ensuring that the Epraise shop offers incentives that motivate and celebrate students’ positive achievements.