Introduction

Benson School Council unites everyone in the school community so that the children are able to voice their opinions and contribute to decisions made within the school. The school council is a direct and positive link between pupils, teaching and non teaching staff and Governors.

Council members celebrate the school's achievements, assist with decision making and raise issues from feedback meetings. The representatives discuss and come up with solutions that will reflect the school ethos. Through the school council, all pupils at Benson have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the moral, spiritual and cultural dimension of their own education. It begins to nurture the idea of good citizenship. The school council promotes a sense of caring and involves children in making decisions about what behaviour is acceptable in school. The school council assists the 'silent majority' by activiely seeking their opinions and ideas and in doing so encourages the idea that the view of each person is worthwhile.

Two members are elected to represent each class. Members serve on the council for a minimum of one term. This has a positive effect on the members' self esteem and it promotes confidence in the children who know that their peers trust and have faith in them.