At the core of our school ethos is a desire to create a cohesive community and a positive environment for all students. At the heart of the Student Voice is a drive to ensure a sense of belonging within the school, a sense of place in the local community and a culture whereby the progress of our school can be fuelled by the talents and insights of our students.
The involvement of House and Vice Captains comprise of termly meetings with Form Reps to gather opinions and ideas from the student body.
Achievements include:
- Refurbishment of the boy’s main toilets. Through the House Council meetings, proposals were put forward to the Principal and Governors for a complete refurbishment of the boys toilet area. Extensive works were carried out and completed in Summer 2019.
- House Council were heavily involved in the selection process of our current catering providers, Cucina.
- On-going meetings are held with Stuart Hobbs, our Executive Chef, to discuss menu ideas and the food provision offered to pupils and staff.
- The House and Vice Captains, as representatives of the student body, have been involved in the interview processes for the last two Principals and for the Vice Principal in 2019.
Philosophy
The Student Voice is a multifaceted organisation dedicated to reinforcing the strength of the pupil voice in the development of school life. At the heart of the Student Voice is a drive to ensure a sense of belonging within the school, a sense of place in the local community and a culture whereby the progress of the school can be fuelled by the talents and insight of its pupils. The Student Voice operates in accordance with the agenda outlined by the Every Child Matters paper and plays a key role in ensuring that pupils make a positive contribution, enjoy and achieve and stay safe within their school environment. Though the Student Voice plays a role in many facets of school life, the theme which unifies all initiatives is the centrality of the experience of the child’s voice within the school institution and the focus upon that voice as catalyst for continual improvement.
Conceptual Framework
This diagram represents the current remit of the Student Voice. The central theme is the role of pupils to the development of school life but this manifests itself in various forms. The purpose of the many facets is to cultivate a school environment which encourages pupils to contribute in a positive way so that every child does matter.
House Council Manifesto
This was drafted during the first meeting of the new school council in 2015/16 and serves as a notice to inform pupils and staff as the nature and intention of school council.
House Council is…An organised group of pupils who are dedicated to making change around the school in a structured way and to set an example.
- this is led by the House and Vice Captains, who hold meetings through the year to engage with the Forms Reps
- focussed on dealing with other pupils’ opinions in a serious way so that everyone has a voice
- proud to be polite and down to earth.
House Council wants…
- to earn the trust from pupils across the school
- to tackle problems in and around the school
- respect for staff
- to improve the school environment.