PUPILS from across the Island were invited to give their input on a new playground – and learn more about how other schools work – earlier this week.
The School Councils Network brings together members of school councils from primary and secondary schools, who meet four times a year. They met for the first time this year on Tuesday at Highlands College – with primary schools going in the morning and secondary schools in the afternoon.
Natalie Kemp, senior policy officer, introduced the Children and Young People’s Plan 2024 to 2027. This was devised earlier this year in consultation with government departments, agencies and pupils, for example through a feedback postbox at Children’s Day.
This year’s focus was on play, with next year focusing on healthy food including school meals – echoing a government survey that showed that children are most concerned about the price of food and activities.
Asked by the department what the government should do if they had an extra £1,000, most children said they should offer plans for the new playground at Millennium Town Park – introduced by school engineer Toby Herold-Howes and described as a “child-led” design approach that used in-person feedback from Springfield School pupils as well as 243 consultation responses.
With planning permission already secured, students added some more pieces of feedback to the plans.
“Future equipment should be hard to break and easy to fix,” he said.
“Some of the equipment is no longer there and that’s a real shame.”
The new concept focused on accessibility, inclusion, sensory play and community improvements such as benches.
Pupils from Les Landes said they would like to see more accessible features – allowing a child with cerebral palsy to use ladders, for example.
Olivia (Year 6) suggested adding a swing for children with disabilities, and Theo (Year 6) said he would like to see water fountains and more shade.
The event was also “an opportunity” to learn about the impact they were having and to find out what is happening in other schools, according to Les Landes headteacher Vicki Charlesworth.
“They feel like their voice in the Island matters.
“Although it’s a small community, the schools can feel very far apart. The network really is an opportunity for them to understand other children’s wishes and goals and aspirations for the community. Their voices together are more powerful.”
Plat Douet School had adopted a system based on the States Assembly, with a Chief Minister at the helm, and Deputies and Constables feeding back into classrooms.
Sara (Year 6), the school’s Greffier, said she enjoyed her role, taking notes on debates between the young politicians – for example, providing fruit and meal boxes so they could be “fit and healthy”.
Headteacher Phil Walker added that they were due to visit the States Assembly later this week.
Members of councils across different schools shared what they had worked on: St Lawrence organised charity fundraisers and allowed pupils to pick the music they want to listen to during art lessons, St Peter used realistic ballot boxes to vote on ideas they had submitted, and Grands Vaux explained that students can borrow outdoor play equipment as the school works toward being accredited for outdoor play and learning.
Les Landes students said they had created a school development plan that prioritised inclusion, successful learning, active citizenship and healthy relationships, and all three students listed articles from the Convention on the Rights of the Child that they felt were important.
Giving feedback on the playground plans was important to them because they realised others didn’t have access to much green space, for example if they lived in flats, said Year 6 pupils Mia and Theo.
“Especially in town, this park is important,” added Mia.
She said that she enjoyed making decisions “to make things better” for the whole school.
Theo added: “We want everyone to feel equal, like they’re included and they belong.”
