The Student Voice was newly reconstituted in 2008 to better represent the views of and help address the needs of students and young people at Wellsway School. The process of the Student Voice attempts to mirror the experiences and priorities of Wellsway Students and is made up of elected representatives from all year groups 7-11 with leadership provided by our Sixth Form Officer structure and Student Executive. All members serve a term of office for one year.

Guiding Principles

	All projects MUST be led by students.
	Staff and other adults involved in projects are there to facilitate and to offer guidance.
	Both ‘Success’ and ‘Failure’ are part of learning and should be accepted as part of the learning process.
	All work undertaken by the Student Executive, Student Community Forum, Learning Council, Year and Student Councils should be have the sole aim of improving the life of students and their families at Wellsway School.
	Any profit from the work of various student groups must be declared and re-invested by the Student Executive.
	The health and safety of all concerned is paramount.

Aims

	Give students and young people the opportunity to learn about and practice democracy.
	Give students and young people a voice and channel for representation.
	Give the governors and staff an insight into the needs and views of young people.
	Pursue issues and goals that are important to Wellsway students.
	Organise events, initiatives and activities to further benefit the Wellsway Community.

The Wellsway Student Voice meets to:

	Discuss all matters relevant to young people attending Wellsway School.
	Act as a focal point and debating forum for all student issues.
	Act as a voice for Wellsway students.
	Advise the staff and governors of Wellsway School on all student matters, and comment upon school proposals.
	Make representations to staff, governors, community leaders and other decision making bodies about specific projects, initiatives, activities or events that will benefit Wellsway students.
	Determine best use of available student resources and/or funds.
	Liaise with other organisations, locally, nationally and internationally.
	Act as a channel for information flow between students and members of staff.
	Work in partnership with other decision making bodies in the school and Wellsway Community to the benefit of young people living in Keynsham and District.

Constitution

	The constituent bodies of the Student Voice are the five Year Councils, the Student Council, the Student Executive, the Student Community Forum and the Student Learning Council.
	Election as Student Voice members shall be organised in September of each academic year.
	The term of office of each Student Voice member shall normally be for a period of one year, after election, from mid-September to mid-September the following year.
	Any member failing to attend two consecutive meetings, without notice or good reason, shall be deemed to have resigned their membership of the Student Voice.
	The financial year of the Wellsway Student Voice shall run from 15th September to the following 14th September. A financial report shall be submitted by the Student Executive to the Headteacher at the beginning of October each year.
	Expenditure approved by the Student Voice must be potentially for the benefit of some or all Wellsway Students. Expenditure is not permitted for the personal benefit of individual Student Voice Members.
	Minutes of the meetings of the Student Voice shall be overall maintained by the Clerk to the Student Executive in a book provided for that purpose.
	The Student Voice may appoint spokespersons for specific topics, as required. The Student Executive will initially keep a watching brief on the business of the various Student Voice groups and report back to the School Leadership Team as appropriate.