How to fit Regular Smart School Council Meetings into Your Busy Class Schedule
One of the most common queries we encounter from teachers thinking about joining our programme “How can we fit regular Smart School Council class meetings into our already packed schedules?” The answer lies in making these meetings both efficient and student-led. We know your school day is already chocka-block, so we don’t want to add to that stress.
Let’s explore how this can be effectively achieved.
Short and Sweet
The key to integrating Smart School Council meetings into your class routine is to keep them concise. Aiming for a duration of five to ten minutes per meeting is ideal. These brief sessions can be surprisingly productive and are long enough to cover essential points without disrupting the flow of the school day.
Zero-faff Setup
Understanding the demands on teachers, we’ve streamlined the setup process for these meetings. There's no need for lengthy logins, remembering usernames and passwords, downloading materials, or preparing PowerPoint presentations. There's no requirement for printing or any preparatory work. In short, it's a click-and-go system, designed to make life easier for both teachers and students.
Regularity Matters
Consistency is crucial for the success of these meetings. Regular, short sessions help maintain momentum and keep students engaged. Whether it’s once a week or every fortnight or less frequently, having a set schedule ensures that council meetings become a seamless part of your classroom routine.
Student-Led for Greater Impact
Perhaps the most vital aspect of these meetings is that they are student-led. This approach serves a dual purpose: it empowers students by giving them ownership of the process, and it also eases the burden on you as a teacher. Your role is to provide guidance and support from the sidelines, allowing the students to take the lead in organising and conducting the meetings.
Encouraging pupils to prepare agendas, lead discussions, and make decisions fosters a sense of responsibility and enhances their leadership skills. This autonomy not only makes the meetings more effective but also more engaging for the students.
Conclusion
Incorporating Smart School Council meetings into your class doesn't have to be a daunting task. By keeping them short, regular, and student-led, these meetings can become a valuable and manageable part of your classroom culture. They provide a platform for students to voice their opinions and learn the dynamics of democratic participation, all within the space of a regular school day.
Smart School Councils, a charity devoted to establishing an inclusive approach to pupil voice, invites you to join this vital conversation. Your thoughts and opinions can help shape a more equitable future for all students.
Stay tuned for more insights as we continue to explore the complexities of pupil voice and school councils.