At Kippax Ash Tree Pupil Parliament promotes pupil leadership opportunities, enabling children to develop valuable communication, organisation and debating skills through key roles of responsibility and new experiences. Pupil Parliament benefits the whole school, pupils and teachers because it provides opportunities for pupils to communicate their opinions as well as influence the decisions that are made on their behalf. Pupils relish the opportunity to become a greater part of school life and enjoy making their powerful voices heard.
Once elected in Year 5 Pupil Parliament members remain on Pupil Parliament for two years. They have a strict code of conduct which they abide by and understand that they have a great responsibility; trust has been placed in their hands by their constituents. Each year Pupil Parliament get the opportunity to meet the Lord Mayor of Leeds at the Civic Hall, meet our local councilor and visit The Houses of Parliament in London to take part in a workshop to learn about the history of Parliament and democracy.
The Aims of Pupil Parliament
- Represent all pupils and ensure everyone has the opportunity to have their voice heard.
- Take time to listen to all pupils and communicate their views.
- Feedback to pupils about what happened about their views.
- Action decisions that have been made or explain why they can’t happen.
- Support school development.
- Support children to develop a understanding of democracy and citizenship.
How do you become a Pupil Parliament member?
Pupil Parliament is made up from a group of democratically elected Year 5 and 6 pupils. Anyone from Year 5 can apply for a position in Pupil Parliament at the beginning of the academic year. Children apply for a place by writing their own manifesto to share their ideas for school improvement, explain what is important to them and demonstrate their positive characteristics. Each child is then voted for by the year group they would like to represent. The candidates present their manifesto and explain why they should be elected. Elections take place in Parliament Week (November) and children are awarded their titles in a special assembly.
Leadership
What are the different committees?
Within our Pupil Parliament there are four committees. The children have a designated committee responsibility.
- Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
- Behaviour and Safeguarding
- Health, Well-Being and Diversity
- Community
What do we do?
Pupil Parliament have various important roles through out the school. Members will chair regular meetings with their year groups to discuss topics, issues and initiatives that affect them as well as charity events. Mrs Dickinson meets with all Pupil Parliament members weekly to discuss issues raised by the year groups, actions completed and forthcoming actions and other important areas. Committee members have different roles and responsibilities. The Secretary minutes the meetings and the Treasurer is responsible for the money that is raised and spent. Pupil Parliament members work together on projects with different members of staff to get the best out of every project. Pupil Parliament write and record weekly 'Pupil Parliament News' which reports of special and important dates and events from across the week. This is posted weekly on Class Dojo for all parents and families to watch.
What have Pupil Parliament done to support school so far in 2023/24?
- Teaching, Learning and Curriculum - carried out pupil interviews and questionnaires about our curriculum, lessons and school dinners.
- Behaviour and Safeguarding - supported in Gold Book assembly with certificates, written child friendly anti bullying and online safety guides, helped to organise NSPCC Speak Out workshops and introduced voice boxes for each class with child voice referral forms.
- Health, Well-Being and Diversity - supported the initiative of 'Well-Being Ambassadors', helped to organise Diversity Role Model workshops for all children and audited books across school.
- Community - carried out fundraising activities such as the 'pop up Christmas shop' to raise money for schools funds and interviewed our local councilor and carried out pupil voice for Kippax Parish Council on the new Kippax Common Park.
Application timetable
The below timetable applies to applications made to Leeds City Council. If you apply to another local authority, they may have different dates
Key Documents
