School Council
At St Chad’s, we are passionate about empowering every child to have a voice. We believe that even our youngest learners can make meaningful contributions to their school and wider community. Our School Council plays an important role in making sure that children’s ideas, opinions and suggestions are heard and valued.
Six children are elected by their peers and staff in Year 2 to represent the school as School Councillors. We also appoint a Year 1 Councillor in Training, who has the opportunity to shadow the elected councillors, learn about their responsibilities and develop the skills needed for future leadership. Their appointments are celebrated during a special Collective Worship, where they proudly receive a badge to wear as a symbol of their role.
The School Council meets regularly with school leaders to share ideas, discuss matters that are important to children and help shape decisions about school life. They encourage pupil voice through surveys and discussions, finding creative ways for children of all ages to share their thoughts and opinions.
Our School Councillors play an important role in the life of our school, particularly during Collective Worship. They help lead worship, contribute to discussions and support the exploration of our school values. As ambassadors for St Chad’s, they are also encouraged to model these values in their everyday actions, showing kindness, friendship, compassion and respect and inspiring others to do the same.
We want our councillors to look beyond the school gates and understand how they can make a positive difference in the wider community. One of their first local outings each year is our annual visit to Derby Council House, where they have the opportunity to sit in the council chambers, take part in an official meeting and learn more about local democracy. They also take an active role in supporting local community projects, developing their understanding of citizenship, leadership and the importance of helping others.
We have recently developed a closer partnership with our local MP, creating exciting opportunities for our children to engage with local and national democracy. A particular highlight has been a visit to the Houses of Parliament in London, where our councillors had the opportunity to learn more about how our country is governed and see democracy in action.
Through these experiences, we want our children to understand that their voices matter, that their ideas can make a difference and that even at a young age, they can play an active part in shaping the world around them. We are incredibly proud of our School Councillors and look forward to seeing what they achieve each year.