What is a school council?

A school council is run by young people in the school and can get things done to make the school a better place for everyone including the young people.

Check this out to find out how you can get involved in a school council that makes a difference…

Speak to a teacher and tell them what you want to do. Write a list of why you think it might help the school to have a school council.

Setting the school council up

Hull Youth Council offers opportunities to schools through training programmes.  If you would like help in setting up a school council or to just make your school council more efficient then they can help!  Contact Hull Youth Council on (01482) 585 297 and ask for Mark or Jo.

• You will need to hold elections to choose class representatives
• Make sure you have a council that isn’t too big.
  As well as the main council have class/form councils that meet regularly and talk about what’s been discussed in meetings and any ideas they want the class representative to raise
• The council should have a bank account or budget (however small)

Holding meetings

• Set clear roles for people in the council
• Always have an agenda for each meeting
• You’ll need a secretary who takes notes (called minutes) in the meetings
• A chairperson isn’t there to make sure you all have a seat but to keep an eye on time and make sure you talk about what you need to!
• School council members could wear badges around school so that other young people know who they are and can give them ideas for improving the school

Some school councils have done really cool stuff like:

• Re-designed the school cafeteria and lunch menu
• Reduced bullying by introducing a telephone helpline
• Set up a school radio station
• Raised money for charity