Cawthorne School Council

The School Council at Cawthorne Primary School is elected democratically and fairly in line with our Fundamental British Values.  Every year, in the last half term, we have an election day where lots of our children stand for School Team Councillors or Class Councillors.  This is done through holding assemblies to talk through their manifestos and then the whole school vote on which person they think will be best to represent their team and year group.

Our School Council makes the school a fun place to be!  They are very active and help to make decisions about lots of important things.  Everyone makes sure that our children's voices are heard and listened to so that everyone is part of our decision-making process in making our school even better.

OUR SCHOOL COUNCIL IN ACTION

We work hard to raise money for school projects as well as for other charities.  A recent project was raising money through a Christmas Jumper Day. All the donations collected went to Barnsley Hospice. We have also collected for the British Legion - this linked with our production about Remembrance. We studied the First and Second World Wars, the Blitz and Evacuees.

Each year, we choose three charities to support - a local charity, a national charity and a global charity.  Previously, we have supported the global charity Samaritan's Purse which linked with our school story, 'The Good Samaritan' as well as Send A Cow To Africa, Water Aid, Sheffield Children's Hospital and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

We are currently developing our outdoor spaces to provide inclusive opportunities for all including quiet spaces for children to sit, read and reflect. We all enjoy being school councillors at Cawthorne because we can be courageous advocates and shine bright for everyone to see. Our voice is heard and we are listened to so that we can all make a positive difference in our world.

Our School Council Constitution

Children are elected by a democratic vote to represent their year group or their team.

Year 2 Representative 

Year 3 Representative 

Year 4 Representative 

Year 5 Vice-Captains 

Red Team 

Blue Team 

Yellow Team 

Green Team 

Year 6 Team Captains 

Red Team 

Blue Team 

Yellow Team 

Green Team 

 Objectives

• To give pupils the opportunity to be involved in improving school life for everyone.
• For pupils to work as partners with staff, developing a caring school community.
• To provide all pupils with opportunities to develop skills that will be important throughout their lives.
• To involve pupils in solving problems and resolving conflicts.
• To be positive role models within school.

 The School Council

• The School Council will be made up of 11 children.

From Year 5 and 6 there will be 8 children to represent each team colour.  Year 2, 3 and 4 will also have one Year Group Representative on the School Council.

• Each class will vote for a team representative.  In addition Years 2, 3 and 4 will vote for one Year Group Representative
• The School Council will attend regular meetings
• The School Council members will serve for the school year.  Elections to take place in July for the  following year
• The School Council will consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary
• The  Secretary will take minutes of the School Council meetings.  The members of the School Council will record  the minutes in the School Council Portfolio for all classes to see.  There will also be regular updates on  the school noticeboard and website www.cawthorneprimary.co.uk .  This will ensure that everyone knows about the activities of the School Council      

 Responsibilities of the School Council

• The  School Council members are responsible for managing the activities of the Council; for instance, planning meetings, talking with the link teachers: Mrs Kukula and Head Teacher, Mr Bramall
• The Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson are responsible for running meetings, giving everyone an equal chance to have their say, and making sure the Council comes up with practical solutions to problems
• Any elected member of the School Council must have exemplary behaviour – any member committing a serious infringement of the School Behaviour Policy  will forfeit their place on the council
• During Election Week candidates must hand in a written manifesto and also deliver this to the whole school.  There must be no canvassing for votes during this week - such as giving out biscuits or sweets etc.