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Search forPupils have a say in how their schools are run
Thursday, October 09, 2008, 07:00
Lynton, Parracombe and Kentisbury primary schools joined forces in 2006 and have been using the strength of their combined numbers to introduce new shared projects and experiences.
Now that includes a joint school council, made up from six pupils from each of the three schools — democratically elected — who will meet up at least once every half term to discuss matters that are important to the children.
After the initial introductions, the first meeting discussed issues including the use of "traffic lights" to monitor noise levels in class — and a desire to have more Big Art days across the federation.
The results of the meeting were presented to Jayne Peacock, executive head teacher of the federation, who will formally respond to their requests at the next meeting and help them draw up a plan of action for achieving their goals.
She said: "This is an extremely exciting development within the federation. It is giving our children a voice that is valued and that has a genuine impact upon day-to-day school life.
"The children are our most critical inspectors who see the school experience from a different perspective to those who create it. They are extremely astute in pointing out things that could be altered or improved, invariably devising creative ways of doing so.
"By providing their own solutions the children have genuine ownership to the agreed plan of action which in turn means that children are more likely to commit to the solution."
BODY OF THOUGHT: The new school council.
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