What is the vision of our School Council?

• To make JAPS a better place.
• To give every girl a 'voice'.
• To encourage every girl to be an active and responsible citizen.

What can the School Council do?

• Discuss things that are important to the girls;
• Discuss and agree activities the girls want to do;
• Ask and listen to the suggestions of other people.

Where and when do School Council meetings run?

School Council meets in the Middle School Library every Thursday morning during Assembly.

What format do all meetings follow?

• The Head Girls run the meeting;
• There is an agenda that is followed;
• The agenda includes regular items such as apologies and AOB, as well as discussion points chosen by the Head Girls.

What is the structure of the JAPS School Council?

• There are 20 people in School Council;
• The Head Girls are the Chair Girls;
• Each Year 3, 4 and 5 class has 2 form captains.  The Year 6 classes have 2 or 3 form captains;
• Mrs Terry attends the School Council meetings as the staff representative and PSHCE co-ordinator;
• Ms Stack may attend as the Head Teacher.

What roles and responsibilities are found in the School Council?

• Chair Girls - run the School Council.  They make sure everyone gets a chance to participate.  They meet with Ms Stack to discuss what has been raised;
• Form Captains - report back to their class what has been discussed.  They keep track of any suggestions made by their class;
• Treasurers - keep track of how much money is raised by the Buddy Groups;
• Notice board monitors - keep the notice board looking tidy and attractive.  Make sure information to do with School Council is updated;
• Time keepers - keep an eye on the clock and let the Chair girls know when the meeting should end.

What expectations are there when you join School Council?

• We expect the Head Girls to check the suggestions box;
• We expect all Form Captains to tell their classes what has been discussed in School Council;
• We expect Form Captains to listen to any suggestions from their classes;
• We expect the Head Girls to have a short meeting with Ms Stack each week;
• We expect the Form Captains to listen to the Chair Girls;
• All Form Captains are exected to make suggestions/comments;
• We expect the Head Girls to give feedback to the school in Assembly.

How are form captains chosen?

• In Year 3, 4 and 5 classes a vote is held to choose who is the form captain.  This is done 'in secret' on a piece of paper or with the nominated girls out of the room;
• In Year 6 the form teachers suggest who should be form captain, depending on who has not yet had the opportunity.

What has the JAPS School Council achieved?

• School Council has set up a Suggestion Box which is emptied once a week;
• The two Head Girls report back to the school during Tuesdays assembly on issues discussed in the previous week's meeting;
• An account has been opened for all money raised for charity;
• School Council has discussed the following issues:
  
  - the JAPS playground
  - toilets and cloak rooms
  - school lunches
  - Library procedures
  - swimming lessons
  - Christmas parties
  - a Buddy group competition
  - house mascots
  - adopting animals
  - health and safety issues.