School Council  

‘Every child has a voice’.

The School Council is a group of pupils who are elected to represent the views of all pupils, from all years, in order to continually improve our School and make a difference to the world around them.

Annual class voting takes place to elect the class Councillor. The children present the reasons they believe they should be voted and then an anonymous ballot takes place.

The School Council meets weekly, to discuss and share ideas in addition to sorting out any potential concerns. Members of the School Council are responsible for carrying out ideas that they have agreed, such as planning charity events, meeting with Governors or other communities and putting forward the views of other children in the School. When they meet, minutes are recorded and shared back to each class by their school council representative.

We believe that a great School Council is one that represents the views of all the children and gets things done.

These are some of the things that make our School Council effective:-

• Regular meetings
• Good communication between representatives and their class.
• Smaller groups (sub-committees) working on specific events or issues.

Achievements

Having a voice

The school council have met on a regular basis and have had an active voice in the everyday life of Cottesmore School. All suggestions by the children have been followed up promptly and action has been taken as necessary. Key involvements have been in writing the Mission Statement and Values for the school, and producing an anti-bullying policy for children.

They have ensured the children in our school have more wet playtime activities available in their classes and chose the designs for the play structures outside, which are now in place.

The School Council have contributed suggestions that led to the repainting of the sports court lines in the KS2 playground, a focused community art day,  the replacement of sports equipment e.g. football nets and the introduction of a children’s book exchange- which focuses around children bringing in books they have read and swapping them for another.

Work with the community

The school council are working with a local charity of their choosing- Grace Eyre, with the hope of supporting one of their projects here in school. The aim is to develop links with our wider community and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Community toilet for CAFOD

The school council voted and decided to use half the funds raised from a Christmas fair for a community toilet for CAFOD

Syria Appeal

Children were ready to witness their faith by helping others, The School Council organised a non-uniform day to raise money for refugees that are currently in crisis. Their donations raised £446.20.

Where in the world is Bear Grylls?- Children named ‘Geography’ bears to promote Geography throughout the school

To promote Geography in the school, each class was given a bear to take on holiday as and when people visit other places. . Children throughout the school gave suggestions for the bear’s name in addition to reasons why they came up with the name. The school council then voted on their favourite name - Bear Grylls was the winning suggestion. Every break, a child from each class takes ‘Bear’ on holiday with them. They photograph and record information in a class book which will then be used to help with the Geographical knowledge and understanding.

Meeting with Bert Williams MBE 

Bert was awarded his MBE for all his work for Brighton Black History Group and has visited us before during Black History Month
The school council met with Bert to discuss ideas for supporting Bert and work in his old school, Bryce School in Jamaica. Bert is working with this school to develop resources and reading. The children had loads of really enthusiastic ideas, and for the short term, they have decided to collect books to send to Bryce school. Further suggestions have included having a ‘Jamaican day’ to raise further funds.