GIVING children the chance to say what they think about school is how school council member Jordan Earnshaw describes this thriving group of students and staff.

“It gives us the chance to make a difference and organise events which help the whole school.

“It also helps us with our listening and speaking skills,” she added.

The 18-strong council is another good example of how this school extends its hands to other communities.

It has strong links with St John’s School in Golcar and pupils have already visited the village to talk about religious festivals, the Muslim faith and Eid.

Children from St John’s are to return this term.

Celebrations were also organised in Greenhead Park by the council to mark the school’s Healthy School Award and there have been several fundraising events organised as part of the school’s charitable work.

It sponsors the education and wellbeing of a young Ugandan boy called Robert and has also organised events in aid of the River Blindness charity.

Mr Dodd added: “The aim of the school council is to let children contribute to the life of the school in a sensible and proactive way.”

The class and school councils each have a small budget which they can decide how to use to help improve the school and make it a more pleasant place to be.

Changes in which the school council has been instrumental include rearranging the playground rota to ensure equal access for all year groups, changing numeracy sessions to mornings instead of literacy every morning and new full-length mirrors in both the girls’ and boys’ toilets.