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'Minor' impact of pupil councils | 'Minor' impact of pupil councils |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Pupil councils have had little impact on the running of most Welsh secondary schools, says inspection body Estyn. | Pupil councils have had little impact on the running of most Welsh secondary schools, says inspection body Estyn. |
In most schools, pupil input is limited to minor improvements in arrangements for uniforms, toilet facilities and meal choices, inspectors found. | In most schools, pupil input is limited to minor improvements in arrangements for uniforms, toilet facilities and meal choices, inspectors found. |
Since 2005, there has been an obligation for pupil-led councils to play an active role in schools. | Since 2005, there has been an obligation for pupil-led councils to play an active role in schools. |
Education Minister Jane Hutt said the report recognised the role of school councils in engaging with young people. | Education Minister Jane Hutt said the report recognised the role of school councils in engaging with young people. |
The drive to give pupils a stronger voice in the running of their schools has been a key part of the Welsh Assembly Government's education policy. | The drive to give pupils a stronger voice in the running of their schools has been a key part of the Welsh Assembly Government's education policy. |
The Estyn report found the regulations had strengthened the status of schools councils but only a minority of their meetings were fully chaired and administered by pupils, as teachers often believed pupils did not have the "skills, confidence or maturity to take on leadership roles". | The Estyn report found the regulations had strengthened the status of schools councils but only a minority of their meetings were fully chaired and administered by pupils, as teachers often believed pupils did not have the "skills, confidence or maturity to take on leadership roles". |
Inspectors found most school councils were under resourced while a few schools failed to respond to the views of pupils. | Inspectors found most school councils were under resourced while a few schools failed to respond to the views of pupils. |
Our school council has genuinely had some effect - if you were asking me if it has had enough effect, the answer would be no Head teacher Neil Foden | Our school council has genuinely had some effect - if you were asking me if it has had enough effect, the answer would be no Head teacher Neil Foden |
In a minority of schools, the work of the best pupil bodies had led to improvements in teaching and learning, as their feedback is listened to and acted on, it found. | In a minority of schools, the work of the best pupil bodies had led to improvements in teaching and learning, as their feedback is listened to and acted on, it found. |
But only a minority of schools had associate pupil governors, elected by their peers to report to the governing body. | But only a minority of schools had associate pupil governors, elected by their peers to report to the governing body. |
Also no teachers, governors, or pupils had yet used the interactive forum of the Schools Councils Wales website. | Also no teachers, governors, or pupils had yet used the interactive forum of the Schools Councils Wales website. |
The report said: "Only in a few schools is the impact of the school council significant. | The report said: "Only in a few schools is the impact of the school council significant. |
"In these schools, pupils are involved in appointing senior staff and they influence decisions about budget allocation and school policies and procedures." | "In these schools, pupils are involved in appointing senior staff and they influence decisions about budget allocation and school policies and procedures." |
Estyn recommended the assembly government provided more resources for school councils and advice on the role of associate pupil governors. | Estyn recommended the assembly government provided more resources for school councils and advice on the role of associate pupil governors. |
The school council at Friars Comprehensive School, Bangor, has been recognised as a model of good practice. | The school council at Friars Comprehensive School, Bangor, has been recognised as a model of good practice. |
It has played a role in health and safety improvements at the school gate, including the relocation of a bus stop. | It has played a role in health and safety improvements at the school gate, including the relocation of a bus stop. |
Head teacher Neil Foden said: "Our school council has genuinely had some effect. If you were asking me if it has had enough effect, the answer would be no. | Head teacher Neil Foden said: "Our school council has genuinely had some effect. If you were asking me if it has had enough effect, the answer would be no. |
"We need to work as a school on the link of feeding up of ideas [from pupils] and the feedback of responses." | |
He said resources was also an issue, both in terms of teachers' time as well as priorities on the school budget. | He said resources was also an issue, both in terms of teachers' time as well as priorities on the school budget. |
Ms Hutt said: "The importance of pupil participation is indisputable - now is the time to make this a reality across Wales." |
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