Pupils have voices heard at School Council Forums

Held over two days, 19 School Councils attended events, workshops, and Denbighshire County Council’s Chamber for this year’s School Council Forums, presenting the work that their individual School Councils have been undertaking throughout the school year.

Pupils in the Chamber with Cllr Arwel Roberts (Chair of the Council) and Cllr Diane King (Lead Member for Education) and Rocio Cifuentes (Children’s Commissioner for Wales).

Held at Denbigh High, 14 schools attended the Primary School Council Forum, with School Council representatives from Ysgol Christchurch, Ysgol Carreg Emlyn, Ysgol Gymraeg Henllan and Ysgol Clawdd Offa schools presenting their work.

The Secondary School Council Forum was held at County Hall in Ruthin, with a chance for pupils from Rhyl High School, Ysgol Dinas Bran, St Brigids, Denbigh High School and Prestatyn High school to visit the County Council Chamber and meet and ask questions to County Council Chair, Councillor Arwel Roberts, and Lead Member for Children, Communities and Families, Councillor Diane King.

The pupils shared the fantastic work they have been doing over the school year, and got to learn about the democratic process at the Council, the chamber microphone system, as well as the electronic voting system.

Pupils learning about the voting system and Chamber microphones.

Rocio Cifuentes, Children’s Commissioner for Wales and Sophie Williams held presentations on both days discussing children’s rights.

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said:

“In Denbighshire, we envision communities where young people are actively involved in the decisions that shape their lives.

It is vital that they have safe and open spaces to share experiences, and influence policymaking on issues that matter. Events like the School Council forums help pupils to learn about the democratic processes that impact their day to day lives.

I’d like to thank all of the schools who attended this year’s forums, and for the work they have carried out in their respective schools this year.”

Rocio Cifuentes, Children’s Commissioner for Wales said:

“'Having a say in decisions is a right under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and a key pillar of a Children's Rights Approach.

I was delighted to attend the forums to meet young people and to find out about the ways they've been exercising that right in their schools and communities.”