Our Voice, Our School, Our Future

At SS John and Monica Catholic Primary School, we believe that every child has a voice and that their opinions, ideas and contributions should be listened to, respected and valued.

Our School Council plays an important role in ensuring that pupils are actively involved in shaping school life and contributing to its continued improvement.

We are proud to have an enthusiastic and committed School Council, made up of elected representatives from Years 1 to 6, who work together to make our school an even better place to learn, play and grow.

Through their involvement, children develop confidence, leadership, communication and decision-making skills, while learning the importance of responsibility, democracy and working together for the common good.

Our School Council demonstrates that children's voices matter and that even the youngest members of our school community can make a positive difference.

How Does Our School Council Work?

Each class from Year 1 to Year 6 elects representatives to serve on the School Council.

The election process provides children with valuable first-hand experience of democracy, encouraging them to understand the importance of fairness, representation and respecting the views of others.

Our School Council is led by Miss Keegan, who supports and guides pupils in carrying out their responsibilities.

Council members meet regularly to discuss issues, share ideas, consider suggestions from their classmates and identify ways to improve school life.

Representatives are responsible for listening to the views of the children in their classes and ensuring that these are brought to School Council meetings.

Following meetings, councillors share important information and decisions with their classmates, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to be involved.

What Does Our School Council Do?

Our School Council takes an active role in many aspects of school life.

Members have opportunities to:

  • Represent their classmates: Listening carefully to children's views, suggestions and concerns.

  • Develop leadership skills: Taking responsibility, showing initiative and helping to lead positive change.

  • Participate in meetings: Learning how to follow an agenda, contribute ideas, take notes and record decisions.

  • Develop oracy and communication: Expressing opinions clearly, listening respectfully, debating issues and presenting ideas confidently.

  • Understand democracy: Appreciating that everyone has a right to be heard and that decisions should be made fairly.

  • Make informed decisions: Considering different viewpoints, evaluating suggestions and agreeing priorities.

  • Explore financial responsibility: Discussing budgets, understanding costs and helping to prioritise spending.

  • Support fundraising: Suggesting and organising activities to raise money for school improvements and charitable causes.

  • Work with school leaders: Meeting with the Head Teacher and other members of staff to discuss school improvement.

  • Influence school meals: Meeting with the Catering Manager to share feedback and make suggestions about the school menu.

  • Lead improvement projects: Helping to plan, develop and evaluate initiatives that benefit the whole school.

These opportunities provide children with valuable life skills and help them understand that they can make a meaningful contribution to their community.

Pupil Voice in Action

At SS John and Monica's, pupil voice is much more than simply asking children for their opinions.

We believe that children should have genuine opportunities to influence decisions and see how their ideas can lead to positive change.

Our School Council contributes to discussions about areas such as:

  • Improving our school environment and playground facilities.

  • Developing lunchtime experiences and school meal choices.

  • Promoting healthy lifestyles and positive wellbeing.

  • Supporting environmental initiatives and caring for our common home.

  • Organising fundraising and charitable activities.

  • Encouraging positive friendships, kindness and inclusion.

  • Suggesting new resources, activities and opportunities for pupils.

  • Helping to make our school an even happier, safer and more welcoming place.

Through these activities, children learn that their contributions are valued and that positive change often begins with listening, cooperation and shared responsibility.

Developing Democracy, Leadership and British Values

Our School Council provides a practical and meaningful way of promoting the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

Through the democratic election process and regular meetings, pupils learn how to:

  • Participate in democratic decision-making.

  • Respect different opinions and perspectives.

  • Listen carefully and disagree respectfully.

  • Take responsibility for their actions and decisions.

  • Work collaboratively towards shared goals.

  • Understand the importance of fairness, equality and inclusion.

These experiences help prepare children to become responsible, active and thoughtful citizens who recognise the importance of contributing positively to society.

Living Out Our Catholic Values

Our School Council reflects the Catholic ethos and mission of SS John and Monica's.

Inspired by the example of Jesus, we encourage our councillors to demonstrate kindness, compassion, respect, honesty and service to others.

Children learn that leadership is not simply about having a position of responsibility, but about listening to others, helping those in need and making decisions that benefit the whole community.

Our councillors are encouraged to consider how their actions can support others, promote fairness and contribute to the common good.

In this way, the School Council helps children put our school mission into practice:

“At SS John and Monica's, we learn through the example of Jesus to love, respect, understand and value each other.”

Developing Confidence and Oracy

Participation in the School Council makes an important contribution to our whole-school commitment to developing children's oracy, confidence and presentation skills.

Council members are encouraged to articulate their views, ask thoughtful questions, explain their reasoning and listen actively to others.

They develop the confidence to speak in front of different audiences, including their classmates, school leaders and other members of the school community.

These opportunities help children become effective communicators who can express their ideas clearly, respectfully and confidently.

Working with Our School Community

Our School Council works collaboratively with a range of people across the school.

Representatives may meet with the Head Teacher, Catering Manager, teaching staff and other members of the school community to discuss important issues and share pupils' views.

This helps children understand how decisions are made and provides valuable opportunities to contribute to the ongoing development of our school.

It also ensures that school leaders can hear directly from pupils about their experiences and aspirations.

School Council Meetings

Our School Council meets regularly throughout the academic year, following a planned programme of discussions, activities and improvement priorities.

Meetings provide opportunities to review previous actions, gather feedback, discuss new ideas and agree next steps.

Examples of areas covered throughout the year include:

Term Example School Council Priorities
Autumn Term Election of representatives, roles and responsibilities, school improvement ideas, playground and lunchtime experiences, charitable fundraising
Spring Term Pupil wellbeing, school meal feedback, environmental initiatives, reviewing school resources and planning improvement projects
Summer Term Evaluating school improvements, reviewing achievements, gathering pupil feedback and identifying priorities for the following year

The programme remains flexible so that councillors can respond to new ideas and issues raised by pupils throughout the year.

Making a Difference Together

We are extremely proud of our School Council representatives and the commitment they demonstrate in carrying out their responsibilities.

Their enthusiasm, creativity and willingness to listen to others make a valuable contribution to the life of our school.

Through the School Council, children learn that their ideas are important, their opinions deserve to be heard and their actions can make a genuine difference.

At SS John and Monica Catholic Primary School, we don't just encourage children to have a voice – we empower them to use it.

School Council Meetings

Meetings will be held in the John and Monica Room.

Please encourage the School Council to discuss the agenda with your class before each meeting and bring any feedback or ideas to the meeting.

Date

Agenda

 

 

 

Autumn 1

 

Delegating roles/responsibilities, children received their school council badges.

Focus- creating a Menu with Mrs McKeown

 

 

Autumn 1

 

Parliament week preparation

 

Autumn 2

 

 

Christmas fundraiser preparation

 

Spring 1

 

Promoting positive mental health- Ahead of Mental Health Week.

 

Spring 2

 

Lent Fundraiser preparation- CAFOD

 

Summer 1

 

Walk to School Week preparation

 

Summer 

 

School fundraiser – event planning/ideas

 

Summer 2

 

Feedback –what went well? Congratulations and thanks.