All state secondary schools will have an elected students council, and student president. The student president, who will need to be at key stage 4, will represent students on the board of governors.
@philipjohn - about 9 years ago
The wording on this isn't particularly clear - who is the new power granted to, and upon whom rests legal requirement?
Finally, the "co-opted" bit renders the student president roll completely mute, IMO - might as well not have one unless they have full voting rights. The student president and democratic system underpinning the role are meant to introduce and encourage young people in democracy. Giving them a completely false sense of inclusivity in a political system is going to make them apathetic before they even get to voting age.
Big fat ✋ from me
@yellowgopher - about 9 years ago
The legal requirement has to be with the governing body collectively - I can make that clearer if you wish.
Co-opted just means they are put there rather than elected there (having been elected president of the student council anyway). It doesn't, in itself, mean they have reduced power. I am a co-opted member of a governing body! The full voting rights is an issue - I, again, direct you to such problems as headteacher performance and pay (should a student really know that much detail?) and disciplinary hearings (should a minor be subject to issues such as sexual harassment; imagine how bad that would be if it was their teacher involved...?). I am uncomfortable about the legality of a minor being involved with that sort of thing so best to agree areas they cannot be included in...
The OpenPolitics Manifesto
@yellowgopher - about 9 years ago
Changes to student president and their membership of governing bodies.