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why bother? Whole School Pupil voices Inclusion real issues effective Manorfield

 

 

Can School Councils help promote inclusion and help reduce exclusion?
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Research carried out in various schools that have introduced School Councils reveals how effective they can be at helping to reduce pupil exclusions and promoting a sense of inclusion.

complementary policies and strategies
However, the research also concluded that School Councils cannot be viewed in isolation, but rather they work to reduce pupil exclusions and promote inclusion through a whole range of complementary policies and strategies. In addition many Councils can be 'more symbolic that real, deal only with fundraising, or are recognised by pupils as being manipulated by the management.'

The research concludes that for school Councils to work effectively the following are necessary:

  • Inclusive structures and lines of communication through class councils, year councils or circle time, so that an individual voice can be heard
  • Frequent meetings and immediate feedback
  • Meetings held in lesson time
  • A wide-ranging agenda which includes both pupils' immediate concerns and school policy issues
  • Support from all teachers, particularly the head.

Provided schools and School Councils display such features, the study demonstrated that School Councils can have an effect on pupil exclusion/inclusion.

Reference: School Councils and pupil exclusions: Research Project report, Professor Lynn Davis (1999) published by School Councils UK