John of Gaunt School Council is a group of children who are elected to represent the views of all children with the aim of improving their school. The School Council and the democratic election process represents our commitment to promoting fundamental British values in accordance with Ofsted guidelines on Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education.
At the beginning of every year, two children from Year 2 are elected as School Council chairperson and School council secretary. Following on from this two children from each class are elected as school councillors. Every two/three weeks, the school council meets (with a teacher present) to discuss issues relevant to the children and their school life. Councillors return to their classes and hold class councils to obtain views and feedback from proposed ideas. These views are fed back at the following school council meeting.
The school councillors have their own board in school where their pictures are displayed so that all children know who they can speak to if they have something that they wish the school council to explore.
Over the past year, the school council has chosen the name for the new class, been instrumental in developing the 6 R’s of Growth Mindset and allocating an animal to represent each R and enjoyed leading their class through pertinent issues.
The school council also explores everyday issues, for example:
- What makes a good learner?
- How can we be a good friend?
- Keeping safe at school
- Happy playtimes
