At Grange we actively promote pupil leadership opportunities, enabling pupils to develop valuable communication, organisation and debating skills.
We see our School Parliament and RRSA Steering Group are a way of developing the pupil body whilst understanding the British Value of democracy.
The School Parliament and RRSA Steering Group ensure that the UNICEF Rights for Children are central to all decisions made at Grange Academy.
Our successful School Parliament is a well-respected body within the school and consists of pupils from every one of our classes.
Pupils are voted in democratically after they deliver a speech (where possible) to their peers.
Children involved in our Parliament meet regularly to discuss topics, issues and initiatives that affect them and their learning environment. The children are at the heart of decision making that affects them and their peers.
As part of their responsibilities, the team organise their own meetings, decide on an agenda, share new ideas and vote on a number of school-related issues.
Minutes from each meeting are shared with the rest of the school through their own display board.
Pupils make decisions on a variety of issues for example how to address school dinners, Grange Values and even health and safety.
School Parliament members are always included in the selection process of new staff members by actively interviewing them and feeding back their thoughts to SLT.
Pupils relish the opportunity to become a greater part of school life and enjoy making their voices heard.
Our School Parliament is supported by Mrs Coles.
Pupil surveys on a variety of topics such as internet safety, feeling safe (safeguarding), pre and post intervention, to mention a few, are administered throughout the year.
Results are analysed to inform school development
Every second week pupils deliver an assembly to the rest of the school on UNICEF articles. Follow up work is done in classes.
Pupils are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings and choose a named adult as their ‘go to’ person – these posters are displayed in all classes.
Pupils are also reminded that all adults are there for them to talk to.
Assemblies, RSHE and throughout lessons pupils are encouraged to voice their opinions and share their thoughts.
Resources are carefully differentiated so that pupils are able to access information. This may be done through picture symbols or a similar process.
Various assemblies throughout the year are used to address issues such as feeling safe, road safety, e-safety and cyberbullying; empowering pupils to speak up when they need to.
Our emotional support workers run bespoke 1:1/group sessions with pupils who may need additional support with regards to their emotional well-being.
The School Parliament election is held each year in early October. All form classes voted democratically for their school parliament representative.
Some of the recent parliament initiatives that have benefited the school are: play equipment, football nets, covered gazebo, sensory equipment, reward shop,lunchtime clubs.
See minutes of meetings below.