Student council
The Student Council meets once every half term, in timetabled tutorial slots, which last an hour. Each Tutor Group is represented on the SC & the meetings are chaired by the Head. Agendas go out the week before and minutes the day after the meetings, to be shared with tutor groups on the Wedneday extended tutor slot.
Minutes are also discussed at School Management Team (SMT) and SMT feed back into the next meetings.
In addition every year has a Year Council which also meets once per half term; these meetings are chaired by Maxine Roberts (as PSHE Co-ordinator).
Reps from the SC also sit on other committees such as Canteen Users Group, which looks solely at food issues, as well as working groups ( eg uniform) as and when they are needed.
The SC agendas are drawn up of:-
Matters arising
Issues arising from Year Councils
Whole school discussion/decision issues, such as Canteen Matters, the school day, charities etc.
There are also regular presentations/visits from outside; eg Extended Schools Co-ordinator, reps from Sri Lankan charity etc.
The SC is the sole decider of the school's charities for the year. They are local, national & international and examples include Prospect Hospice, Children In Need & Gambia link respectively.
Students receive training at the start of the year on how to be a good rep, how to chair a meeting, how to report back and transferable skills such as asserting themselves, self esteem etc.
SC reps should also have a badge to indicate their role.
In essence they are a significant part of the 'student voice' in the school and are involved in all major consultations.
Recent involvement includes both the school uniform review & school
day review.
Impact by the SC is evidenced by such things as water dispensers, more bins around school, benches on field, revised uniform in place, greater focus on school clubs - roadshow etc.
Swindon Community Radio and finding out the needs of young people.
