Tutorial Activities Class Council Sow

Student Voice

Developing class councils in form time – Scheme of Work Table of Contents Developing class councils in form time – Scheme of Work................1 Scheme of Work.................................................................................2 Session 1.........................................................................................2 Session 2.........................................................................................3 Session 3.........................................................................................4 Session 4.........................................................................................5 Meeting ideas 1..............................................................................6 Meeting ideas 2..............................................................................7 Meeting ideas 3..............................................................................8 Meeting ideas 4..............................................................................9 Good Practice and Ideas...............................................................11 Minutes Format................................................................................12 School Scenario Cards......................................................................13 Class Council Rules .........................................................................14 What we can do...............................................................................15 School Council Initiates Improved School Menu............................15 What was going on....................................................................15 What we did...............................................................................15 What changed............................................................................15 School council teaches parents a lesson.......................................16 What was going on....................................................................16 What we did...............................................................................16 What changed............................................................................16 Structures and definitions................................................................17 1.School Council........................................................................17 2.Year councils...........................................................................17 3.Classroom or form councils.....................................................17 4.Charters of Behaviour.............................................................18 5.Peer support...........................................................................19 6.Sub-committees......................................................................19 7.Governors' meetings...............................................................20 8.Staff meetings........................................................................20 9.Year Head meetings................................................................20 10.Senior Teachers’ meetings....................................................20 11.Non-Teaching Staff................................................................20 12.Communication is key!.........................................................21

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Student Voice

Scheme of Work Session 1 Each Class Council meeting should feed into both the Year Council and Student Council meetings. Check the dates of these on your school calendar and Year Overview Tutorial Activities Class Council Passport to Success 1 Objectives All will participate Most will be an active member of the group in decision making Some will articulate and justify choices made Tasks Teacher Amendments 1. Outline objectives 2. What do they know of student councils from primary and Kingsmead? 3. Why is a Student Council important – what do they understand of student Voice? 4. Let students know they are part of this process – it is to include all of the school. 5. Boundaries exercise – in groups of 4/5 a set of cards per Place the issues under the relevant heading group to show how much student involvement there is in current decision making 6. Once this has been agreed, move the cards to how you would like it to be 7. Prioritize the ones you want to focus on and discuss how you would go about making it happen 8. Each group Feeds back 9. Share with them how their from tutors have responded to this and what areas they can affect. 10.plenary recap objectives Heading are: Learners make the decisions Learners and staff make decisions together Learners discuss and make suggestions to staff Staff make the decisions (Off limits to learners) Resources IWB Boundary Cards - 5 or 6 sets

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Student Voice

Session 2 Tutorial Activities Class Council Passport to Success 2 Objectives All will actively listen Most will think of creative solutions Some will take minutes of meeting or chair Tasks Teacher Amendments Where possible make sure the year council reps are able to lead this session. you may need to give them the resources before hand so they can be confident in this. 1. Outline objectives and recap last session 2. Chair opens the meeting and share ‘What we can do’ sheet (could display on IWB) with class 3. Discuss this event and how and why the students took action. Why do you think they were effective? 4. Is there something that matters to this class that we could suggest action to be taken on? 5. Open out this discussion 6. Look at Agenda template and decide what things they might like to discuss and take action on in the future (remind students that it is best not to over fill this, best practice is 1 main item and then a couple of smaller items if wanted) 7. Plenary recap objectives

Resources ‘What can we do sheet’ - Chair must have been given this to look over prior to the meeting as they will be introducing this section. (or scenario cards) IWB Agenda template

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www.involver.org.uk Topics you could consider may fall under these categories. (Every Child Matters)

• • • • •

Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution Achieve economic well-being

Student Voice

Session 3 Tutorial Activities Class Council Passport to Success 3 Objectives All will understand the need for ground rules Most will take part in making new ground rules Some will lead the session Tasks Teacher Amendments Where possible allow Year Team representative to lead session with support from staff. 1. Recap last session 2. In small groups decide on 5 rules all meeting should follow. You could put them in order of importance or think of other ways to present this. (Using ground rule cards as guides) They don’t need to stick to these. 3. each group - Feed back our reasons for what you have done 4. As a whole class pick your top 5 5. Plenary recap objectives Extension - If time allows you could create posters that sum the rules up Resources IWB Ground Rule Cards - one set per group Sugar paper pens

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Student Voice

Session 4 Tutorial Activities Class Council Passport to Success 4 Objectives All will understand the role of the Chair Most will offer examples of what a good Chair does Some will work towards being the next Chair Tasks Teacher Amendments Where possible allow Year Team representative to lead session with support from staff. 1. Recap last session 2. Look Structures and definitions – possibility of having signs for students to hold to represent these groups. 3. Give examples of how the chair runs the meeting next time if necessary. E.g. firm but fair 4. using Sheet look at what a Chair does and discuss 5. In pairs further discuss the role of Chair and having an agenda. 6. Groups of 6 or more possibly half class - Role play one scene where a Chair does their job well and one where they make the meeting difficult. 7. Share these and discuss. 8. Inform class that this is the last Class Council meeting where you will be talking this much and in future it is over to them, you will be there to support and offer ideas and help if they want you to. 9. Elect a Chair for next meeting – this student will need to put together an agenda for next time. (if you think it is necessary also appoint a Vice Chair in case of absence) 10.Plenary recap objectives

Resources IWB Information on the role of a Chair

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Student Voice

Meeting ideas 1 Tutorial Activities

Class Council

Passport to Success

Objectives All will participate in setting the agenda Most will participate in discussions Some will take minutes of meeting or chair Tasks

Meeting Ideas

Teacher Amendments

The Elected Chair must be allowed to lead these meeting with support from staff. 1. Outline objectives 2. Using the Agenda from session 2 the Chair looks at what will be discussed 3. Chair then starts meeting 4. Suggested Items – • Charitable events • Session or homework structure 5. Minutes should be taken by a member of the form (secretary) who will be willing to write them up (with Teacher support). This could be done during a morning registration session. Elect a Chair for next meeting – this student will need to put together an agenda for next time. (if you think it is necessary also appoint a Vice Chair in case of absence) 6. Close meeting The new Chair will need to draw up the next agenda with support from the whole form. You could use one morning tutorial session to do this. The class should be shown a copy of the minutes of the last meeting before it starts. Resources www.involver.org.uk IWB Topics you could consider may fall under these Agenda categories. (Every Child Matters)

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• • • •

Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution

•

Achieve economic well-being

Student Voice

Meeting ideas 2 Tutorial Activities

Class Council

Passport to Success

Objectives All will participate Most will report on action taken from last meeting Some will take minutes of meeting or chair Tasks

Meeting Ideas

Teacher Amendments

The Elected Chair must be allowed to lead these meeting with support from staff. 1. 2. • • • •

Chair starts meeting Suggested Items – Minutes from last meeting Successes Links to learning Feed back from Year council an Student council

3. Minutes should be taken by a member of the form who will be willing to write them up (with Teacher support). This could be done during a morning registration session. Elect a Chair for next meeting – this student will need to put together an agenda for next time. (if you think it is necessary also appoint a Vice Chair in case of absence) 4. Elect a Chair for next meeting – this student will need to put together an agenda for next time. 5. Close meeting Resources IWB Agenda Minutes from last meeting

www.involver.org.uk Topics you could consider may fall under these categories. (Every Child Matters)

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• • • •

Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution

•

Achieve economic well-being

Student Voice

Meeting ideas 3 Tutorial Activities

Class Council

Passport to Success

Objectives All will participate Most will report on action taken from last meeting Some will take minutes of meeting or chair Tasks

Meeting Ideas

Teacher Amendments

The Elected Chair must be allowed to lead these meeting with support from staff. 1. Outline objectives and recap last session 2. Outline objectives 3. Chair starts meeting (by now this should be a familiar format and students should feel confident in the way they run it) 4. Suggested Items – • Minutes from last meeting • Feed back from Year council an Student council

5. Elect a Chair for next meeting – this student will need to put together an agenda for next time. 6. Close meeting Resources IWB Agenda Minutes from last meeting

www.involver.org.uk Topics you could consider may fall under these categories. (Every Child Matters)

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• • • •

Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution

•

Achieve economic well-being

Student Voice

Meeting ideas 4 Tutorial Activities

Class Council

Passport to Success

Objectives All will participate Most will report on action taken from last meeting Some will take minutes of meeting or chair Tasks

Meeting Ideas

Teacher Amendments

The Elected Chair must be allowed to lead these meeting with support from staff. • • • • • • •

•

• •

Outline objectives and recap last session Outline objectives Chair starts meeting (by now this should be a familiar format and students should feel confident in the way they run it) Suggested Items – Minutes from last meeting Feed back from Year council an Student council Evaluation of the effectiveness of the class council this year and work to carry over to following year. Minutes should be taken by a member of the form who will be willing to write them up (with Teacher support). This could be done during a morning registration session. Elect a Chair for next meeting – this student will need to put together an agenda for next time. (if you think it is necessary also appoint a Vice Chair in case of absence) Elect a Chair for next meeting – this student will need to put together an agenda for next time. Close meeting

Resources IWB Agenda Minutes from last meeting

www.involver.org.uk Topics you could consider may fall under these categories. (Every Child Matters)

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• • • •

Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution

•

Achieve economic well-being

Student Voice

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Student Voice

Good Practice and Ideas • •

Allow students to run session and meeting where possible. The more ownership they feel the more likely they will participate and take action. Use a session to walk around the school grounds looking at the environment- what is good what could be changed for the better

• •

Have one morning a week where students to put ideas for the meeting to the Chair for future meetings. Chair and Vice-chair can decide what things need to be discussed

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Student Voice

Minutes Format Elected Chair – Present: Apologies: Time of meeting: ITEM

Place of Meeting:

Action

By Who

1. Matter s Arsing 2. Main Item AoB Close of meeting:

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Completion Date

Student Voice

School Scenario Cards A What would you do... A student wants to raise money for a local charity. He wonders if the school will help.

it is giving some students a headache. D What would you do... Your lessons before lunch on Wednesday were always over running.

B What would you do... a group of students in the year have complained that their lessons are spoilt because the IWB is broken and the teacher cannot use it.

E What would you do... the clubs after school are only on certain days and you want to go to the one that clashes with homework club.

C What would you do... a number of students in your tutor group have commented that the classroom smells of strong cleaning materials every morning. They feel that

F What would you do...

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Student Voice

Class Council Rules

•Respect Everyone • • • • •

• •

• •

•

Listen to each other Smile Talk If you have to vote, vote Don’t expect others to do all the work Cooperate All contribute; give everyone a chance to have an opinion Feel free to ask questions Make eye contact when speaking to each other The Chair and secretary need to be organised

this is an example of a year 8 class version of class council rules that they created together. They first started by deciding on 5 most important rules in small groups, shared their ideas and then grouped the similar ones, making this one definitive list.

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Student Voice

What we can do School Council Initiates Improved School Menu What was going on Tenby Junior’s School Council, in Pembrokeshire, decided to invite the school cook along to a meeting so that they could ask questions about how their school meals and portion sizes were decided upon.

What we did The local authority sent a food procurement officer along to the school to discuss with the school council the possible options for changing the menu. A decision was made along with the school council that they would trial a ‘Funky Food’ menu, which included sandwiches, sausage rolls and fruit. This option however was not very well received by the pupils and it was therefore not continued after the trial period. As a ‘health promoting school’ Tenby have now decided to pilot a new scheme and a whole new menu is being developed.

What changed The food will be bought from local producers and will be freshly prepared in the school. Samples of the new menu will be brought in to Tenby Junior in order for the school council to try it out and give feedback to the local authority and the rest of the school before the new menu is finalised.

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Student Voice

School council teaches parents a lesson What was going on

PUPILS at St Nicholas' Primary School, Lincolnshire, have had enough of naughty parents parking illegally in the yellow zigzag zones and decided to take control for themselves.

What we did Despite appeals from staff for parent and guardians to stop, many have continued to park dangerously when picking up and dropping children off at school.

What changed So, in a bid to deter the illegal parking, members of the school council decided it was time they took some action and started to petition parents with leaflets at the school gates as they drop off their children.

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Student Voice

Structures and definitions • • • • • • • • • • •

School Council Year Council Form/Class Council Charters of Behaviour Peer Support Sub-committees Governors' Meetings Staff Meetings Year Head Meetings Senior Teacher's Meetings Non-Teaching Staff

1. School Council School Councils are about involving young people in the life of their school. Traditionally pupils were viewed as passive learners, with their sole purpose being to get their qualifications and move on. In recent years, this role has been changing as society begins to recognise the rights of young people. Schools are beginning to listen to the views of pupils, and this has been seen to have a number of benefits to both staff and pupils. In schools of several hundred pupils, ‘listening to their views’ is easier said than done. School Councils are the term given to structures which facilitate this communication, and enable young people to take responsibility for aspects of school life previously considered ‘out of bounds’. While every school is different – and therefore every school council is different – we would give the following definition to describe a school council. "An elected body of pupils whose purpose is to represent their classes and to be a forum for active and constructive pupil input into the daily life of the school community." The term ‘school council’ is used as an inclusive term for similar student representative bodies such as pupil or student council, school parliament or school forum.

2. Year councils In larger schools (more than 300 pupils), electing two representatives from each class will mean that the school council will be very large, and discussions will be difficult. In most secondary schools, the class (or form) reps will meet to discuss issues raised in class, and issues to be dealt with at the school council.

3. Classroom or form councils 17

Student Voice Class/form councils provide the structure for all pupils to be involved in discussion and decision-making in the school. They enable effective communication between the pupil body and the school council. They also enable the form/class to develop a sense of group identity. The new citizenship requirements have an emphasis on skills of participation and responsible action. Regular form/class council structures provide a real space for all pupils to develop these skills through their own experience of participation as a citizen of the school community. For example, pupils develop speaking and listening skills, self-confidence, self-esteem and problem-solving. In primary schools, classroom councils can act as a development of circle time, with children taking more of a leading role and addressing whole school issues, as well as classroom issues. In secondary schools, pressure on curriculum time is high and the amount of time pupils spend in their form classes is small. However, with the new citizenship requirements in the national curriculum, more schools are finding time during PSHE for form council meetings. Where PSHE does not take place in form classes, registration can be extended once every week or two so that there is enough time to hold class council meetings. The long-term benefits are worth the short-term problems you may face when making form councils a recognised part of the school week. Form/class council meetings usually follow a similar procedure to school council meetings. However, pupils should be given an opportunity to discuss how they want their meetings to run. e.g. • • •

Will pupils move their chairs so that they are in a circle? When someone speaks will they stand up? Will the class abide by majority decisions when votes are taken?

4. Charters of Behaviour Developing a charter of behaviour is a way of seeking and gaining a consensus about what is regarded as acceptable and positive behaviour in school. Everyone in the school should be involved in devising a whole school charter. Pupils can be involved via their classroom/form council meetings. Many primary classrooms will already have a set of rules or agreements, these can be brought together make a whole school charter of behaviour. When everyone is involved in making the charter, everyone is aware of what is acceptable behaviour. A whole school charter of behaviour helps children to improve behaviour in their school. A charter of behaviour should be a broadly based document that does not contain details of punishments. During classroom/form council meetings, pupils should encourage each other to use the charter as their guide for the behaviour that they expect from each other. When

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Student Voice individuals fail to reach this agreement they should be supported by their peers, maybe a buddy being provided to help them try again.

5. Peer support Peer support is the general term used for projects that allow pupils to help each other through advice, educational or emotional support. While peer support programmes do run independently of the school council, in most schools where they are successful, they are linked to a strong council. Types of peer support include: Emotional Support • • • • •

Circle Time Co-operative Group Work Befriending/Buddying Mediation/Conflict Resolution Counselling-based Approaches

Advice/Education • • •

Peer Tutoring Peer Education Mentoring Advocacy

6. Sub-committees Some sub-committees may deal with a single issue or event, such as a survey or campaign. Others may be more permanent such as publicity or anti-bullying. This is a good way of allowing students to use their skills and to get things done. Examples of permanent sub-committees: Anti Bullying – monitors behaviour and organises peer support activities Assemblies – organises and plans school assemblies Budget/Finance – prepares school council budget and organises fundraising Building/Facilities – monitors condition of school building and suggests new equipment Catering – reviews school food and improves nutrition and range Charity – decides which charities to support and organises fundraising events Constitution – revises constitution annually and distributes copies Dance/Ball/Disco – organises annual dance event for students Elections – co-ordinates school-wide elections and ensures rules are followed External Relations – organises links with other schools and organisation Hospitality – organises orientation for new students and guests of the school Publicity – produces newsletter/website/posters and press releases Student-Staff Relations – plans projects and events to promote better relations between students and staff 19

Student Voice Teaching & Learning – evaluates what makes learning effective (lessons and subjects) and offers constructive suggestions Travel – reviews travel to and from school, and improves safety for all Remember: There may be staff who could advise these sub-committees. Don’t try and start all these committees at the same time. Begin with a small, manageable number.

7. Governors' meetings Any successful school council needs to have links with the governing body. While pupils cannot attend the whole of governors’ meetings, the chair of the school council could come to give a short presentation about their work. Also, a governor could be linked to the school council and attend meetings to give advice and support.

8. Staff meetings In many schools, staff do not know what the school council is up to, so they cannot facilitate discussion in class. While staff meetings are busy enough, it would improve communication if one or two council members were to make a presentation, assisted by the school council link teacher. This is probably more effective than simply having the school council minutes in the staff room, and sends a powerful message to the students. Plus, it would show pupils exactly how an effective meeting should function.

9. Year Head meetings In secondary schools, the year heads are particularly important to the effective running of year councils. They should be attending year council meetings, liasing with form tutors and supporting the pupils. It is also important that they liase with each other to ensure consistency between different years in terms of meeting frequency and procedure.

10.Senior Teachers’ meetings The Senior Management Team will need to keep in touch with the school council. This may involve attending school council meetings at least once a term and responding to the issues raised. With the support and involvement of senior managers, the pupils will be encouraged to pursue their ideas and make a difference.

11.Non-Teaching Staff How many pupils know the names of the catering or cleaning staff? It is ironic that while school councils spend most of their time discussing food, toilets and litter they rarely have any relationship with the very people who can sort these things out. Correspondence with the caretaker or catering manager can lead to real progress and

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Student Voice the building of trust between pupils and staff. The same applies to administrative staff, learning mentors and lunchtime supervisors. 12. Communication is key!

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