Note: this is extracted from the School Prospectus - click on the link on the left for the full text.
We have a school council which enables the children to make a positive contribution to the way in which the school functions. Each Year 1 and 2 class elects two representatives. All the class representatives meet regularly, together with three teachers, who listen to their ideas and concerns. The meetings are minuted and shared with the whole school community. The agenda and minutes are on display in the School Entrance. Children's views are taken seriously and acted upon when possible.
This means the pupil voice is very strong at KLS. The school council meets fortnightly and are encouraged to bring thoughts and wishes from their peers. Changes made through the school council have included new lunchtime routines and activities, picnic blankets, allocated quiet areas, a friendship bench and water bottles in classrooms. The most recent request was for a 'Suggestion Box' so that all the children in the school have the opportunity to post ideas and thoughts, without having to talk to people directly. The councillors collect the notes from the suggestion box before their next meeting, where they then discuss any wishes.
Children are confident to share their thoughts and feelings with adults in the meetings and know that their ideas are valued and implemented wherever possible. All new initiatives are discussed with them as appropriate. School councillors understand their roles in setting an example to other children through good behaviour and manners. They look after children sitting on the friendship bench and find them friends to play with.
School Council Speakers Talk - Reception Induction Evening
Charlotte: We are Year 2 Knaphill Lower School Councillors. The School Council is a very important part of life here and it has been responsible for lots of changes. We have meetings every fortnight and there are 2 children from each class there. We talk about lunches, playtimes, the buildings, the Woodland Enclave … everything to do with school really! We feedback to our classes after our meetings to let our friends know what we discussed and the minutes are put in a special book.
Maddy: We ask our friends what they would like to change or add to the school and we do special jobs. We show the children the right way to do things and how to look after each other. The school council has had loads of fantastic ideas. We asked if we could have a friendship stop to help children find someone to play with and now we have one. We didn't really like lots of queuing at lunchtimes and we couldn't sit with our friends because the hot and cold dinner children were separate. That's all been changed now and lunchtimes are much more fun.
Toby: At Knaphill Lower School it really matters what we think. We usually get what we ask for and all the school councillors speak at the meetings.
Maddy: Karen the cook came to the last meeting. She wanted us to tell her what the most popular meals are. We all like butterscotch tart the best!
Charlotte: We like being school councillors. We are very important. Without us the teachers would make all the decisions and that's not right!
All: It's our school!