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House Council Policy
Staff responsible: A. Watkins January 2008
Aims and Objectives
- The House Council is a key resource in our participation in the Healthy Schools Scheme and of the development of PSHE and citizenship within the school.
- The House Council provides a basis for developing life skills such as speaking and listening skills, teamwork, emotional literacy, problem-solving, moral reasoning skills, self-esteem and self-confidence.
- It leads to improved behaviour through positive peer leadership, devolvement of maintaining good behaviour, skills for conflict resolution amongst peers.
- It contributes to reducing vulnerability and stress through improved communication between adults and pupils and between pupils and through working towards shared goals.
- It builds the school community through development of communication skills, a positive attitude towards responsibility and peer mediation.
- The council aims to help to provide pupils with:
§ A safe, happy fair learning environment.
§ A forum to discuss and act upon matters that interest them and to voice their concerns.
§ A structured opportunity to learn management and problem solving skills.
§ An opportunity to take an active part in the management of the school.
§ Experience of democratic processes.
The house council should encourage pupils to develop and enjoy:
§ A sense of ownership over policy and practice.
§ A co-operative approach to reaching consensus over school issues, such as behaviour.
§ Responsibility and ownership of the school community and environment.
The house council should give pupils experience of:
§ Planning, organising and monitoring small projects.
§ Speaking, listening and debating.
§ Mediation and negotiation skills.
§ Basic budgeting and managing money.
The house council should prepare pupils for citizenship by teaching them about roles, rights and responsibilities within the school system and in the community.
The philosophy underlying West Twyford’s house council is outlined in the following principles:
§ To provide balance and wholeness, helping to make the school community harmonious and good to be in.
§ To enable pupils with positive attitudes, who usually make up the majority, to exert a positive influence.
§ By enabling pupils to become partners in their education, to create a dynamic school in which the pupils are a force for positive change in the school environment and ethos.
§ To provide a democratically elected forum within which children can develop skills and understanding of what it means to be an active citizen,
§ By making a real contribution to the school community, to allow children to develop self-esteem and to develop as worthwhile individuals who can make a meaningful contribution to society as a whole.
§ To help children to develop self-confidence, social skills and morally responsible behaviour towards each other and towards their teachers and helpers.
§ To enable children to learn to listen to others and to recognise their own right to be heard, while experiencing the rewards of participation and positive attitudes.
Curriculum
· Skills and understanding of the House Council will be developed through the encouragement and enhancement of self-esteem that is a part of all school activities and lessons.
· The aims of the Council will be supported further through the curriculum for PSHE, including Circle Time activities chosen to determine the views of classes to be expressed by Council members.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
· To facilitate pupils involvement in House Council related lessons and discussions:
- The purpose of each session is made clear
- Appropriate learning experiences are planned and meet the needs of all the pupils in the class
- Learning experiences draw on pupils' own experiences or existing knowledge and provide a range of opportunities for pupils to learn, practise and demonstrate skills, attitudes and knowledge and understanding
- Time is given for pupils to reflect, consolidate and apply their learning
- Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and to record their own progress
- Attention is given to developing a safe and secure classroom climate
- Staff training needs are met
Staff
· The adult school community comprises: teaching staff, administrative staff, classroom support staff, kitchen staff, SMSAs, site manager, parents, specialist teachers and coaches.
· All teachers and non-teaching staff are involved in encouraging the skills and personal qualities to be further fostered through the Council. These are an integral part of the school mission statement, aims and ethos.
· The link teacher will inform and consult with other adults in school.
· INSET, staff induction, staff meetings and guidelines for citizenship education and PSHE will provide the basis for development.
Outside Visitors
· The school leads the programme but outside visitors have a role. There is a school protocol for involving outside visitors. These people may include parents, religious and health professionals, the police, fire officers and those from local and national voluntary organisations. All visitors must report to the school office on arrival and must wear appropriate identification throughout their visit.
· The school will welcome co-operation with appropriate outside agencies to have an effective Council meeting the aims and purposes above.
Resources
· Adequate funding for appropriate resources will be allocated including stationery, books and training materials to help the development of the Council.
Monitoring and Evaluation
· As with any learning process assessment of pupils’ personal, social and emotional development is important. It provides information which indicates pupil’s progress and achievement and informs the development of the programme.
· Monitoring will be undertaken by the link teacher in consultation with other members of staff and involved adults.
Equal Opportunities
· The concept of equal opportunities is integral part of a school council and the above aims are to be embraced regardless of age, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic background.
S.E.N
· Access to all participation in the Council will be provided appropriately to all children irrespective of ability. Through positive support and encouragement children will be helped to participate in the Council to an extent appropriate to their age and level of maturity.
· A consideration of the viewpoints and cultural considerations of others is initiated through the ethos and policies of the school, and will be reflected in all facets of the Council’s activities and influence.
Early Years
· Children in the Early Years will be represented and helped to express their views by older children with specific responsibility for mentoring the skills of younger children.
Links to Other Policies
· Because developing a successful House Council is an approach rather than a specific subject area all parts of the curriculum apply and all school policies relate. Particular links exist with the following:
§ PHSE and Citizenship
§ Healthy Schools
§ Anti-bullying
§ Equal opportunities
§ Behaviour
Dissemination and Review
· The policy will be disseminated widely to staff, governors, parents and pupils.
· The policy will be reviewed in January 2011.
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