Student councils have been an important part of school communities for decades, providing a platform for student voice and promoting student leadership and engagement. The history of school councils can be traced back to the early 20th century, when student unions began to emerge in universities and colleges as a way to promote student representation and advocacy.

In the 1960s and 70s, student activism and social movements led to a renewed interest in the ability of representative groups in education to represent learners views. This connected with the promotion of social change and community engagement. This led to the emergence of student councils in high schools and primary schools, with a focus on promoting student leadership and engagement.

The traditional school council exploded in the 2000s in schools in the UK. The model emphasises student-led action and decision-making, and aims to create a culture of active citizenship and democratic participation in schools.

Today, many schools see the limitations of the traditional school council model. Often then give a voice to the students who are most confident. This has led many schools to join our movement of inclusive student voice by adopting the Smart School Council approach. This provides a platform for all students to voice their opinions, share their ideas, and take action on issues that matter to them. By promoting student leadership and engagement, school councils are helping to create a more inclusive and participatory school culture, where students feel empowered to shape their own learning experiences and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.