Here at Oakfield we pride ourselves in listening to the opinions and views of the learners, our dedicated Student Council is a fine example of this.

Our Student Council representatives - one learner from each year group plus a reserve - are elected at the beginning of each academic year and they then carry out this role throughout that year.

Our aim is to help to make a difference in our school, college and also in the local community.

The representatives attend meetings at least once every half term to share ideas and information, plan and organise future projects/campaigns and to take any ideas forward.

To date our representatives have been involved in the following:

Each representative last year obtaining individually the Gold Award standard in the Student Leadership Award developed by the SSAT (the schools, students and teachers network)

Forming links with other Student Councils in the local area - The representatives planned, organised and held a conference inviting Student Councils from other local schools across the borough – Hindley High School, Landgate, Rosebridge and Fred Longworth.

Visiting Rosebridge High school by Independent Travel Training to participate in a joint meeting

Campaigning – Access for All in our local community

Supporting fundraising events within school and college

Contributing to the Anti-Bullying policy and raising awareness

Collecting of ballots for an Oakfield General Election

Contributing to assemblies – Make Your Mark

Forming a panel as part of the interview process for Teaching Assistants

Coordinating whole school campaigns including The Youth Parliament - Make Your Mark by leading the school assembly, collecting and counting the votes completed by the whole school and college which are then collated with all the other high schools across Great Britain

Ideas For a Town – Contributing to our local community by creating our own entry for an exhibition held at Wigan Library which is currently on display to the public

The Listen Up Conference - The Student Council attended a local conference in nearby Hindley to share their opinions and views on topics relating to Work and Learning / Leisure and Fun / Choices Control and Rights / Feeling Well / Family, Friends and Relationships / Where and How I Live. They participated in a number of activities surrounding the above topics and listened to a guest speaker who was formally a learner at our school and college. Whilst there they were also given the opportunity to ask some questions to the Big Bosses at Wigan Council about issues important them and the learners back at school

Quotes from former Student Council Representatives:

“This year we have pushed Student Council to its limits – to help the local community become a better place for everyone we organised a conference with other schools and shared our opinions and ideas between us”

“We have all worked together as a team in Student Council as well as the other schools. We have done more in this year than ever before – Well done Student Council!”

“Mr Ennion came into our meeting and talked about Anti Bullying. We got involved with a new system of worry slips – I became a monitor, I enjoy helping other people feel better”

“I enjoyed the actual conference meeting new people and getting their views on our whole campaign”

“I have enjoyed coming to the meetings, sharing different ideas and helping out in my school”