At Mill House School, we deeply value the voices of our students and actively involve them in shaping the life of our school community. Our School Council plays a key role in promoting leadership, responsibility, and positive change.

The Council is made up of elected representatives from each year group:

• Year 7 – Emelia

• Year 8 – Matthew

• Year 9 – Zeenat

• Year 10 – Jack

• Year 11 – Leo

These pupils were chosen by their peers through a democratic voting process, following the presentation of their own manifestos. This process reflects our commitment to British Values—especially democracy, individual liberty, and mutual respect—and strengthens students’ understanding of how their voices can influence real decisions.

The School Council meets monthly to discuss ideas, concerns, and suggestions raised by pupils across the school. Their work has already led to exciting and meaningful changes. After surveying students, the Council introduced new lunchtime clubs such as table tennis and chess, and successfully advocated for more enrichment activities and educational trips.

One of their standout achievements has been the creation of the Merit Reward Ladder, which celebrates positive behaviour, sustained effort, and personal growth. Pupils now look forward to end-of-term rewards and celebrations that recognise their achievements.

The Council also regularly gathers student voice on key areas of school life, including wellbeing, inclusion, and ways to enhance our outdoor spaces. Their ideas continue to shape a more supportive, inclusive, and engaging school environment.

This work links directly to our commitment to SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development), as students learn to express their views respectfully, consider the needs of others, and take an active role in their community. Initiatives such as our visits to local care homes help develop empathy and social responsibility, while enrichment opportunities build cultural awareness, teamwork, and confidence.

Our students say it best:

“We love our new ping pong table!”

“Lunchtime chess club on a Wednesday is cool – we get to beat Jon!”

“We go on loads more trips now.”

“The cinema was fun – we got to buy popcorn!”

“I like going to the care home.”

The School Council is currently working on several exciting new initiatives, including:

• Surveying students to gather feedback on the first round of merit rewards introduced at the end of the spring term.
• Creating a new ‘Student Views’ document to make annual reviews more accessible, personalised, and student-friendly.
• Planning an end-of-year celebration to mark a fantastic year at Mill House, including a special farewell for our school leavers and a celebration involving students’ families.

At Mill House School, the School Council is proof that when students are listened to, great things happen. Their passion, creativity, and sense of responsibility help drive our school forward – making it a place where everyone feels valued, heard, and inspired.