- Pupil Voice

PUPIL LEADERSHIP TEAM

An integral part of a child’s experience at The Alton School is formed by the extensive opportunities we provide for pupils to take on roles of responsibility and leadership.

We continue to encourage and value our pupils’ voice and our teams of Peer Mentors and the School Council play an active role in school life. Pupils’ ongoing commitment has a very positive impact on our learning environment here at The Alton School and we are incredibly proud of their combined achievements to date. We are confident they will continue to impress us with their ideas and passion.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

Article 12: Every child has the right to say what they think in all matters affecting them, and to have their views taken seriously.

The School Council meet regularly to discuss school issues and improvements. A boy and girl from each class (from Years 1 to 6) are elected by their peers. They seek the views of their peers about certain issues and feedback in the School Council meeting.

PEER MENTORS

Article 16: Every child has the right to meet with other children and young people and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.

Through our Peer Mentor scheme, pupils are trained to provide help to other pupils who are unhappy or lonely at play and lunchtimes.

They are not there to tell people what to do. They provide support by listening to and helping individuals to think their problems through and consider their options.

Some of the things that Peer Mentors do:
- help new students to settle into school
- run activities at lunchtime so that students have a safe place to be
- are available for any pupil to go and have a chat to about a worry they have
- work alongside Learning Support Assistants helping students in the lunch hall.

For peer support to work well, a number of things are important:

Training is provided for the Peer Mentors so that they understand their roles and develop the important communication and problem solving skills.

Good support and supervision from staff. Trained adults are available at all times to support the Peer Mentors themselves and give guidance if necessary.

Making peer support an important part of the whole school’s ethos.