School Council News

The School Council of Ganton School and Student Centre meets half termly to consider matters brought to their attention by pupils, staff and other community groups. Members of the School Council are elected annually and they then elect a Chair who leads the meetings and keeps things in order. This year Marcus has this unenviable task.

During last year the group was represented at Hull's Youth Parliament and took part in a range of consultation events with the Building Schools for the Future team, St. Stephen's Neighbourhood Centre, Hull City Council's Paper Chain Event and others. John, from the group, won a competition to design a poster to promote the safe use of drugs and medicines. Within the school the impact of their work was visible in the Fair Trade events, Eco School work and Travel Plan.

Agendas are sent out a week before the meetings so that all pupils and staff can be consulted and items can be brought forward at the meeting as 'Any Other Business'. Meetings are conducted formally and Fair Trade refreshments are served at an appropriate point. Minutes are recorded in both written and symbol format so that they are accessible to all and the school's Senior Leadership Team is kept informed of the actions which have been agreed. The minutes are distributed with class registers.

A vibrant notice board also displays copies of news from the School Council and a Power Point presentation of them in action is shown periodically on the school's plasma screen. Visitors who have worked with the School Council have been unanimous in their praise:"Meeting with the School Council from Ganton was extremely useful and, it has to be said, an uplifting experience. If you want to know what kids think then who better to ask than them?" said the workers from St. Stephens. Michael Turner, who played for Hull City at the time said: "Children should have their views heard as much as grown -ups and these guys certainly let us know!"

Perhaps the secret of their success is the set of ground rules which the Council have agreed:

• Behave sensibly at meetings

• Think before you speak

• Listen carefully to everyone

Perhaps they can teach us grown - ups a thing or two........