At Summerville Primary School, we actively engage pupils in the life of the school, so that they have a voice and a role to play in its development. These roles can give children influence and an increased choice over the provision we offer. It also helps empower them, giving a sense of self efficacy, which in turn raises self-esteem. This is important for all children.
Pupil participation is one of the ways our school promotes the values of tolerance of others, mutual respect and enables children to begin to explore democracy, the rule of law and individual liberty enabling them to become active responsible citizens.
Children have an official voice in the school through the School Council. Each class (Y2-Y6) has 2 elected representatives who bring issues arising from class discussion to the School Council meetings. The children organise and run the meetings, but an adult is in attendance to support them and to communicate issues to staff.
The School Council allows our children to learn about citizenship and democracy, while also having a real impact on decision making in the school. Some examples of the work of the School Council include: sponsorship event which raised over £1300 for school fund and the NSPCC, review of the Behaviour Policy, organisation of a litter picking event to enhance the school grounds and local area and an Easter Egg Raffle.
The Digital Leaders programme coaches a number of selected students across school to be online safety experts. Under the guidance of the Computing Subject Leader, they are responsible for delivering class based and assembly activities and raising online safety awareness for the whole school community, including teachers, parents and governors. The work the Digital Leaders do has a huge impact in improving behaviour, safeguarding and reducing online safety issues.
We are currently in the process of appointing ‘History Ambassadors’ and 'Science Ambassadors' to work closely with the Subject Leaders on the development of the history and science curriculum. Their role is to support the subject leader to improve the standards, raise the levels of attainment and progress and ensure that all of the children Summerville Primary School have the opportunity to achieve well in this subject. They undertake learning walks, book scrutinies, pupil interviews and planning meetings with the subject leader to decide next steps.
We’re hoping that after a successful start with history and science, we can extend this to other subjects.
Our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors are a team of children from Y4-Y6 who work closely with our Learning Mentor to tackle bullying within school. After their initial training from the Diana Award, they work together as a team to raise awareness of bullying, address any issues and find ways to prevent it.
Examples of their work so far include delivering class assemblies and activities during Anti-Bullying Week, producing a child friendly anti-bullying policy and organising a LGBTQ+ Colour Run Funday.