Why have a Pupil Parliament?

At Somers Park Primary School we believe that children and young people need to be active members in their own education and to feel that their opinions will be heard. We seek ways to listen to the views of our pupils and involve them in decision-making so that they are engaged as partners in the life of the school. The Pupil Parliament has been set up to develop the ways in which pupils can make a positive contribution to school life and ethos but also broaden the experiences and wider development of our young people.

Pupil Parliament will:

• Provide a forum for the leadership of the school to listen to the pupil’s opinions

• Aid communication throughout the school

• Build the pupils confidence and self-esteem

• Encourage the pupils to be active citizens

• Provide all pupils with a democratic model

• Be a positive forum

• Provide an opportunity for all pupils to be heard

How does Pupil Parliament Work?

Pupil Parliament meet once a fortnight and is divided into six different areas of responsibility – School reporting/Instagram, clubs and associated activities, assembly themes, school resources, classroom environments and break times. 

Each meeting runs with an agenda where members give their opinions and ideas. The committee members work together on their chosen projects, lead meetings with their own classes and discuss challenges and resolutions with different members of staff.  This is to ensure that the views of the school are listened to, debated and acted upon so that Pupil Parliament gets the best outcome for every project.

As part of the fortnightly meeting, pupils work together to evaluate the progress that has been made and the steps that need to be taken. Pupil Parliament are also planning in some school assemblies with a child centred theme. During assembly, pupils will get the opportunity to interact with the committee members.

Who can be a member of a Pupil Parliament committee? 

Any pupil from Year 1 to Year 6 can apply for a position on the committee. Each candidate can give a short speech or presentation explaining why they want the responsibility of a being a Pupil Parliament member.

Pupil Parliament Projects

This year we would like to:

• Meet with a member of Parliament to find out about what they do

• To raise money for Chumbageni Primary School in Tanzania

• To raise money for the EYs outdoor provision

• A proposed trip to the Houses of Parliament to find out more information

• To raise money for an animal charity that can work with our school

• To post updates about what Pupil Parliament have been working on

Improve the Pupil Parliament Charity Work

Pupil Parliament wishes to support numerous charities both big and small. Some of the charities that we would like to support include:

*Children in Need

*Autism Awareness

*Speech & Language UK

*Malvern Special Families

*Comic Relief

We will also be discussing other local charities to support and how we can do this. The Pupil Parliament is extremely grateful for all of the excellent support it has received in previous years from parents and friends of the school to help raise funds for charities and the school. In the up and coming years, it will look again for the support and generosity of the wider school community to help generate funds and ideas and to help make our school a better place.