Class Councillors for 2023-24

Class Council Events 

This week, class councillors introduced the Aughton Aspirations to the whole school in assembly. They did a fantastic job and spoke so clearly to share this exciting new opportunity. 

Class Council Meetings 

Autumn 2 

The class councillors have met and begun to work collaboratively on a 'Be Kind' Assembly on Google Classroom. Once this is completed, the councillors will do this assembly to the whole school as part of our wider personal development linking to Anti-Bullying. 

The councillors shared the recommendations that had come from their peers regarding which books they would like to order to add to the Love to Read section from the local councillors. 

The 3rd agenda item was playground equipment at break time and lunchtime. The play leaders have just introduced a new system of games at these times and, following the success, we want the pupils to share what games and activities they would like available on the playground. 

Autumn 1 

Following the election, the class councillors met and completed their first school council meeting. The pupils became familiar with their school council books, chose a Chairperson to lead the meetings and stick to the agenda. 

The children followed the agenda of the meeting which focused on planning for the year to decide their priorities and what would be the focus for their first in-class council meeting. 

The class councillors introduced the Aughton Aspirations to all the pupils in assembly and agreed on the symbol inside the passports for each experience would be a star. They discussed what they wanted to focus on for the year ahead and had some fantastic suggestions. The Local Councillors gifted the academy some money to spend on new books. Class councillors would share this in their class council meeting and ask their classmates for author and book recommendations. 

School Council Election 2023-24

It was a pleasure to welcome Councillor Taylor and Councillor Pitchley to see our School Council finalists present their final speech to their classmates, before each class went to the polling station to vote for their two candidates of choice!

 

The polling station was run by our Y6 pupils who did an incredible job in the roles involved with registering pupils to vote and counting the ballot papers under the guidance of Mr Thomas from the local election team.

It was a fantastic opportunity to see democracy in action and how it would be run in a real life election. Councillor Taylor even made our youngest children feel comfortable by sitting up in the front with them.

A huge well done to all the children who took part as they were incredible and congratulations to the School Councillor winners for the year 2023-24!

At Aughton Junior Academy we have are proud to have pupil representatives that take part in Class and School Council meetings.  These councils are in place so that pupils have a voice and are involved in decisions about the school that affect them.  Through Class Council all pupils have the opportunity to raise issues, share ideas and take part in discussions that involve all of their classmates in reaching a democratic solution.  Wider issues that arise at Class Council are discussed further at School Council, this ensures that as many pupil voices as possible are heard.  Pupils at Aughton Junior Academy know that this is their school and their thoughts and ideas matter.

 

Our School Council aims to ensure our children have:

• A safe, happy and fair learning environment
• A forum to voice their concerns and act upon them
• A structured opportunity to learn problem-solving skills
• An opportunity to take an active role in the organisation of the school
• An opportunity to experience a democratic process

Our School Council should encourage pupils to develop:

• A sense of ownership over policy and practice
• A consensus over school issues such as behaviour
• A responsibility towards the school community and environment

Our School Council should give pupils the experience of:

• Planning, organising and monitoring small projects
• Speaking and listening skills
• Debating skills
• Mediation and negotiating skills
• Basic budgeting and managing money

Our School Council aims to prepare our pupils for citizenship by teaching them about roles, rights and responsibilities within the school system.

Organisation:

• Two representatives from each KS2 class
• Two representative from each KS1 class
• Link Teacher
• An agenda is to be organised by the link teacher
• Minutes will be recorded by the children

It is a very responsible job, and School Council Members will share information with their class, and get ideas and views from pupils by talking.

Running the School Council Meetings:

The School Councillors will hold their class council meetings every 2 weeks with their class. Currently due to the COVID 19 restrictions, we are unable to meet as school council face to face. To resolve this, school councillors meet with Miss Fairham & Miss Rathbone to feedback from their class council meetings. After discussion they then feedback virtually through a video link which is shared with the school councillors before their next meeting. 

Giving Feedback to Pupils:

Following the School Council Meeting, School Council Members speak to their class to let them know what is going on and tell the class about the issues being discussed and what is happening next.  This will encourage more children to contribute to further meetings, share worries and let members know the things which could be done to improve the school.  The school will record School Council Achievements on the school newsletter as and when appropriate.

Last year we…

Last year school council worked very hard to get things up and running. So far they have…

• Raised money for a music box
• Created a school song and dance
• Made a worry box for any children that have any worries
• They create, organised and delivered assemblies to reinforce positive behaviour, eliminate rough play and an assembly on embracing all
• Secured funding for a friendship bench, where children can sit if they want to find a friend to play with.