The Riversdale School Council, also known as the Rights Representatives, is made up of various children from across the year groups and their aim is to represent the school community in the development of teaching and learning. The council also focuses on the rights and responsibilities of children, working to ensure that these are respected. This is linked to the school’s status as a UNICEF Rights Respecting School. 

The School Council is supported by the RRSA Lead. Council members are selected by their class teachers and peers in a democratic vote at the start of the academic year. Meetings take place fortnightly (at a minimum) with a range of children from Years 2 - 6.

The role of the school council

To advise the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and teaching staff on:

• Improvements to the learning conditions for all children at Riversdale,
• To ensure that learning is fun, interactive and interesting,
• To ensure that planning and teaching is pupil-centred, ensuring improved education for all.

As members of the learning council they will:

• Visit other classes to see how things are done differently,
• Observe lessons and comment on them from the children’s point of view,
• Carry out surveys of pupils views about learning in school,
• Review on a regular basis the school’s curriculum,
• Comment on resources available for curriculum development,
• Make recommendations to the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and the school teaching staff in relation to a wide range of topics, including school meals, the school site etc.,
• Ensure that the rights and responsibilities of all members of the community are observed (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child),
• Support the wider school to develop the skills, knowledge and attributes required for global citizenship.