School Council

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWLY ELECTED STUDENT SCHOOL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES! 

Thank you to all Year 7 to Year 10 students who applied to be members of the School Council. We had extremely strong candidates and the decision was difficult!

Thank you to all of you who took the time to be active citizens and vote. We are delighted to announce the winners based on these results.

A massive congratulations to these new members of the team. The new team members for 2022/2023 can be viewed below : 

BGS School Council Representatives 2022/2023

The School Council at Burnham Grammar school represents the whole school community. It is a formal group of elected students from each year group who act as representatives of their peers in discussing school issues with each other, the headteacher and staff. It gives all students the opportunity to have a real say in issues that affect them and to make decisions about how the school is run.

BGS School Council Handbook for Students

Our Burnham Grammar School Ethos and Aims drives the aims and work of our School Council:

Responsible Learners:

  • Our School Council encourages our students to develop confidence and responsibility and make the most of their abilities.
  • Our School Council aims to ensure our students have a structured opportunity to learn problem-solving skills.
  • Our School Council encourages students to develop a sense of ownership over policy and practice.

Active Citizens:

  • Our School Council encourages our students to prepare them to play an active role as citizens, to have a “voice” and to share their opinions and ideas with others.
  • Our School Council aims to ensure our students have an opportunity to take an active role in the organisation of the school, have a forum to voice their concerns and act upon them and an opportunity to experience a democratic process.
  • Our School Council aims to prepare our pupils for citizenship by teaching them about roles, rights and responsibilities within the school system.

Happy, Healthy and Safe:

  • Our School Council encourages our students to develop healthy, safer lifestyles.
  • Our School Council aims to ensure our students have a safe, happy and fair learning environment.
  • Our School Council encourages students to develop a consensus over school issues such as behaviour.

Prepared for the Future:

  • Our School Council encourages our students to develop transferable skills vital for success in life and work.
  • Our School Council gives pupils the experience of planning, organising and monitoring small projects.
  • Our School Council gives pupils the experience of speaking and listening skills and debating skills.

Caring Individuals:

  • Our School Council encourages our students to develop good relationships and to respect the differences between people.
  • Our School Council encourages students to develop a responsibility towards the school community and environment.

Elections:

Year group elections are held every year. Students apply to be on the School Council. The candidates are shortlisted and then voted in by their peers.

Organisation:

  • Two Heads of Full School Council who are on our Senior Prefect Team in Year 13
  • Twelve Senior House Prefects in Year 13, three from each House
  • Eight School Council representatives from each Year Group in Year 7 to Year 12
  • School Council Link Teacher

Meetings:

  • Meetings occur once a half term.
  • The year group School Council Members will operate a year group council in which issues and ideas associated with their year group are discussed.
  • Heads of Full School Council then meet with these members for feedback.
  • Two School Council Members from each year group are then invited to a whole school council meeting which is chaired by the Heads of Full School Council.
  • These meetings are advertised in the Morning Buzz, on Google Classroom and Show My Homework so all staff and students are aware and can provide additional comments if needed.
  • The School Council Link Teacher assists with these meetings and members from the Senior Leadership Team at Burnham Grammar School are invited to attend.
  • A report from the meeting is written up by the Heads of Full School Council and shared with the Headteacher.
  • Action is then taken.

What happens after a meeting:

  • Following the School Council Meeting, School Council Members speak to their peers to let them know what is going on and tell them about the issues being discussed and what is happening next. 
  • This will encourage more children to contribute to further meetings, share worries and let members know the things which could be done to improve the school. 
  • The school will record School Council achievements on the school newsletter as and when appropriate.

Stop Box- Report Bullying

If you would like to report bullying that is taking place within the school, whether you are student or parent, please get in contact with our whole school pastoral manager Miss White.

You can also contact the pastoral team and Head of Year.