Case studies

Millfields Community School, Hackney, London

Children from Millfields School Council were very helpful and helped in the design of the Primary Handbook. They have a successful school council, noted in their last Ofsted report: "The school council has a very responsible attitude and has been successful in bringing issues that worry pupils to the school's attention."

Glebe Infant School, Rayleigh, Essex

Glebe Infant School is a featured school in the Key Stage One Toolkit. Their recent Ofsted report noted: "The school and class councils are very effective and make a very good contribution to citizenship. The pupils have a very responsible attitude and willingly talk about developments in the school and the areas they are seeking to develop further." On one occasion, an MP came to talk to the children about his job. One child put up his hand a said: "Oh, your job is just like our school council!"

Powers Hall Infant School, Witham, Essex

Claire Edwards, now the headteacher of Powers Hall Infant School, was instrumental in the creation of the Key Stage 1 Toolkit. She played a key role in the development of Glebe's School Council when she was a deputy head there and has continued her innovative work with infant school councils at Powers Hall. Their last Ofsted report was just after they started their school council in 2003 and observed then: "Pupils value the opportunity provided to express their views and opinions about matters affecting the school community." Since then it has come on in leaps and bounds.

Ashley Special School, Widnes, Merseyside

Ashley School has pupils from 8-13 years old with moderate learning difficulties. In October the School Councils UK launched the publication School Councils for all: including disabled pupils and pupils with SEN at Ashley School. On the same day they opened their inclusive school council chamber, where the council meets regularly and where other school councils come to have their meetings. Ofsted have noted the centrality of participation to the ethos of the school: "A key feature of the school is the very good way all pupils are included in its work .. pupils were particularly enthusiastic about the way in which they have influence over school life through membership of school committees and the School Council. The management and organisation of this democratic forum is an outstanding feature of the provision made by the school."

Haggerston School for Girls, Hackney, London

Haggerston School for Girls is a girls comprehensive secondary school whose Council is respected by staff and students and forms a central part of the school ethos. Their last Ofsted report illustrated this by noting that: "A strong emphasis on pupils taking responsibility pervades the school .. The School Council is a very effective body that is run by pupils and has a strong and responsible voice in the school. It works hard to improve conditions for pupils, but is also astute enough to know that pupils themselves can ensure that facilities are well looked after. A high quality level of debate in these meetings is always evident .. All pupils know they are taken care of, listened to and supported effectively."

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