Effectiveness of Britain’s School Councils
Introduction
School Councils are about involving young people in the life of their school. Traditionally pupils were viewed as passive learners, with their sole purpose being to get their qualifications and move on. In recent years, this role has been changing as society begins to recognize the rights of young people. Schools are beginning to listen to the views of pupils, and this has been seen to have a number of benefits to both staff and pupils.
In schools of several hundred pupils, ‘listening to their views’ is easier said that done. School Councils are the term given to structures which facilitate this communication, and enable young people to take responsibility for aspects of school life previously considered ‘out of bounds’. Due to the fact that every school is different, the definition of school council, too, is different. Therefore, school council can be generally described as “an elected body of pupils whose purpose is to represent their classes and to be a forum for active and constructive pupil input into the daily life of the school community.”
How School Councils work?
School councils can offer the school many benefits that would include (1) developing life skills, improving behavior and attainment, reducing exclusions, stress and vulnerability. Additionally, these school councils make a positive contribution to every aspect of the school community. They help improve academic performance, reduce bullying and vandalism, reduce school exclusions, and improve teacher-pupil relations.
British School Councils
School Councils in the UK has been helping schools develop into caring communities, working with teachers and pupils in infant, primary, secondary and special schools for more than ten years. British School Councils also works in partnership with local Education Authorities, providing guidance, support and training.
School Councils UK is an independent charity which promotes and facilitates effective structures for pupil participation in every school. Their vision is centered on young people as decision-makers, stakeholders and partners in their schools and communities. Additionally, it produces popular resources to support schools with student voice and school council development. The school council toolkits and the secondary school councilor handbook are widely referenced resources. These resources are currently used in half of UK schools.
Effectiveness of School Councils
Pupil Councils provide a basis for active learning of important life skills such as speaking and listening skills, teamwork, emotional literacy, problem-solving, moral reasoning skills, self-esteem and self confidence. These developments would allow young people and children acquire skills which help them to become resilient to negative experiences. Moreover, pupil council experiences provide a dynamic foundation for learning about citizenship. More importantly, school and class councils enable pupils to have a voice and to understand that their opinions count. According to , “school councils can be a most excellent training ground in responsibility for future citizens.
School councils develops positive peer leadership and the responsibility for maintaining good behavior is shifted away from teachers and towards members of the classroom and school community. Pupils become able to resolve conflicts amongst their peers. Additionally, according to (2003), school councils play an important role in fostering the personal and social development of pupils especially in the contribution to citizenship education.
There is an apparent improvement in the school as there is also an improved communication between pupils and teachers, senior management and governors. The school develops into a community where pupils and teachers work in partnership towards shared goals. Taken from the statement of a teacher in , “the result of school councils has been phenomenal that a limited input of time has had such a big effect.
Accounting to the students’ improvements in their behavior is the positive impact on teachers’ stress levels, teacher-pupil relationships and the learning environment. The best way to return to local control in education is to eliminate central school boards, downsize central district offices by making them arms of the state, and replace districtwide boards with local school districts which allow for and encourage broader participation and ownership of schools (, 2003).
Conclusion
School councils play a big role in the United Kingdom’s educational advancement. For the fact that such system has yet been found to have setbacks, it should be a model for other countries to replicate. There has been no doubt as to why and how Britain’s educational system soars. With all its benefits, school councils take a huge step forward in the development of both the students, the schools, and as well as the community.
REFERENCES
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