Pupil Parliament
School Council was originally designed as one group of children elected by their fellow pupils to represent their opinions and raise issues working with their school leaders and governors. The school council also worked hard to take forward projects on behalf of their peers, and be involved in raising money for charities.
The new Pupil Parliament is structured much like the government as it is made up of different sub-committees. Each of these committees is designed to have a specific focus on improving Horniman Primary School.
Pupil Parliament promotes pupil leadership opportunities, enabling children to develop valuable communication, organisation and debating skills through key roles of responsibility and new experiences. Pupil Parliament benefits the whole school, pupils and teachers because it provides opportunities for pupils to communicate their opinions as well as influence the decisions that are made on their behalf. Pupils relish the opportunity to become a greater part of school life and enjoy making their voices heard.
The aims of the Pupil Parliament:
Represent all pupils and includes a fair representation of the school.
Take time to listen to all pupils and communicate their views.
Feedback to pupils about what happened about their views.
Action decisions that have been made or explain why they can’t happen.
Who can be a member of Pupil Parliament?
Anyone can apply for a position in a committee. Each member is voted for by their peers after a short presentation explaining why they should be elected.
What are the committees?
There are 6 committed, each consisting of a child from each class from Y2-Y6 and supported by a school adult
Behaviour committee
Interiors committee
Eco Committee
Health and Well-being committee
Teaching & Learning committee
Diversity committee
What do we do?
Each committee is supported by the adult responsible for the committee. Each committee will meet once a half term to discuss forthcoming actions and update actions completed. Committee members will chair regular meetings with their class to discuss topics, issues and initiatives that affect them as well as charity events. Rahila Farid will meet with all Pupil Parliament members once a term to discuss issues raised by the class, actions completed and forthcoming actions and other important areas. Committee members have different roles and responsibilities with two Chair Persons setting the agenda and leading the meetings. The secretary minutes the committee meeting and the Treasurer is responsible for the money that is raised and spent. The committee members work together on projects with different members of staff to get the best out of every project.
What have committees done to improve the school?
The following recent projects have been led by each committee:
Behaviour committee - Anti- bullying assemblies, behaviour awards
Interiors committee - designed displays around school, organised enterprise day
Eco Committee - litter picking, walk to school week, energy monitors, compost monitors
Health and Well-being committee - organised healthy schools week
Teaching & Learning committee - surveyed children about what and how they like to learn, children takeover day
Diversity committee - audit of books, Neurodiversity assembly