Self Esteem

The Self Esteem key area G2 asks schools to have "a forum for children to address issues and concerns". A great way to provide a school forum is by facilitating a school council. School Councils can operate in many different ways. In one primary school in Trafford the council meets monthly. The council has a small budget allocated to it from school funds. Members decide how to spend the money and suggestions are collected from all year groups.

The school was recently visited by Ofsted inspectors. The inspecting team were invited to attend a council meeting. The following comments were written in the Ofsted Report about the school council:

"The school council is particularly successful in developing personal skill of negotiation, responsibility and independence. Pupils from all age groups draw up their own agendas and take class or individual suggestions to council meetings. Staff in attendance at the meetings allow pupils to run the meetings and show great respect to them and the suggestions made. Pupils sometimes research their beliefs or arguments before bringing them to the attention of the group"