Background

In March 2023, Karen and Kerri had the pleasure of visiting and meeting Louise Wheeler, a dedicated Year 3 Teacher, SENCO, Deputy Head and Smart School Council Lead at Sankey Valley St James CE Primary School. She’s one of our long-standing members - five years!

Louise happily shared her journey over the past five years with Smart School Councils (SSC). She explained how they’d moved from a ‘traditional’ student council setup to one advocated by SSC. She’d noticed that now students were focusing on the ‘greater good’ of the school community, when suggesting ideas for change.

Here’s 3 top tips that Karen and Kerri learned from talking with Louise, that other members might find useful too:

Tip #1: Foster Action Team Autonomy

Encourage students to take ownership of Action Teams - groups of pupils who create change - by providing them with clear objectives, resources, and support to execute their ideas independently. For example, Louise found creative ways to empower students to lead initiatives like installing clocks in the playground to creating a chill-out room. These student-led projects not only improved the school environment but also fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Tip #2: Enhance Class Meeting Engagement

In class meetings - quick, pupil-led meetings across the school using the Smart School Council platform -  pupils have meaningful discussions. They learn to respect diverse opinions, cultivate democracy, and drive positive change within their school community. Louise suggests incorporating interactive elements such as polls, breakout discussions, and visual aids to promote active participation and meaningful dialogue during class meetings.

Tip #3: Integrate Smart School Councils into your School Development Plan

Ensure the sustainability and visibility of Smart School Councils by including the programme in the school's development plan, and securing ongoing support and resources from school leadership. Louise thinks this a valuable move to weave raising pupil voice and Smart School Councils into the fabric of school culture.

Closing Thoughts

Sankey Valley St James CE Primary School's journey with Smart School Councils is a testament to the power of student voices in shaping a vibrant school community. Through innovative initiatives and inclusive dialogue, they've created a space where every student feels heard and valued. 

Big thanks to Louise for having us. It was great to visit your school and hopefully, other members might find these tips useful too. Let's continue to champion student empowerment and create positive change together!

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