DEPARTMENT FOR
CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES News Release (2007/0165) issued by
The Government News Network on 18 September 2007
Schools Minster
Andrew Adonis today reiterated the Government's strong
support for the growing number of school councils. He said that
school councils, in both primary and secondary schools can lead to
better behaviour and help young people understand their rights and responsibilities.
Responding to a report to the Government, published today by
Professor Geoff Whitty, Andrew Adonis said:
"School councils have a positive role to play in school
life. Around 90% of schools now have a school council, giving
pupils a say on issues like bullying and school meals.
Today's report demonstrates the value of school councils and
sets out some of the innovative ways schools are seeking the views
of their pupils. At Forest Gate school in East London pupils train
to become peer mediators, helping staff settle playground disputes.
"There is no hard and fast rule as to what schools should do
to harness the views of their pupils. Individual schools know what
works best for them. The most important thing is that young people
feel they are taken seriously and that their views can lead to
tangible change.
"Ensuring young people play an active role in their
education is part of our wider aim, through citizenship education,
to ensure young people become responsible adults, accountable for
their choices and behaviour."
Today's report Real decision making? School councils in
action is the result of research commissioned by the government to
look at what schools are currently doing to harness the views of
their pupils. The findings will inform revised guidance and
support the work of School Councils UK (SCUK) in promoting school
councils in both primary and secondary schools.
Andrew Adonis concluded:
"Around 90% of schools already have a school council, and
while we will not be making it a legal requirement to have a
school council, it is something all schools should consider.
"Today's booklet from the Innovation Unit contains
examples of good practice and opportunities to share ideas online.
I have also asked Geoff Whitty and his team to lead on updating
and strengthening our Working Together guidance which will be
available to schools early next year. "
NOTES TO EDITORS
* Real decision making? School councils in action will be
published on the DCSF website: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/dcsf-RR001
at 09.30 Tuesday 18th September Further details on the report can
be obtained from Helen Green at the Institute of Education on
(0)20 7612 6459.
* The Innovation Unit's shortened version of the Whitty
report aimed at teachers outlines research, emphasises the links
between school councils, personalised learning and pupil voice and
focuses on how different schools have made their school councils
work effectively. It is available from The Innovation Unit http://www.innovation-unit.co.uk.
* School Councils UK (SCUK) is also publishing a report on the
role of school councils at 09.30am on the 18th September; this can
be found on their website at http://www.schoolcouncils.org.
PUBLIC ENQUIRIES:
0870 000 2288
info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
INTERNET ADDRESS :
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/findoutmore
If you would like to receive email notification of new press
notices in the subjects of your choice, please click on
'register' on our site: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk,
'Latest News'.