The last year has been a busy one for the School Council with many diverse activities both in school and in the wider community. Here is a selection of some of them.

Some Councillors made a most interesting visit to the Houses of Parliament in October, being met by Martin Horwood, the Cheltenham MP, then going on to take an exciting trip on the London Eye and also have a look at Buckingham Palace.

In November, three Councillors assisted in making a presentation at a conference on student voice in Birmingham. This involved talking about what the Council had done in front of an audience of 250 teachers. 

During the Ofsted inspection the whole Council met with an inspector and most capably answered her questions. She commented that she was impressed by their knowledge of healthy eating!

Members of the Council took part in making a promotional film about school councils, (filmed by professionals) and also contributed to the school prospectus DVD.

In March some Councillors assisted in a presentation at an assembly at Bournside School. This was observed by an Ofsted inspector, who was most complimentary about our pupils.

The Council has liaised with Youth Parliament on various issues concerning disabilities and inclusion opportunities in out of school life.

One of our Councillors has responded to a visitor from a club called Young Reporters and he will be joining them soon, dealing with issues that affect young people and in particular, those with learning disabilities.

Recently our Council has been liaising with some members of Bournside School Council. A joint art project will be worked on which will be displayed in our new school. As well as an initial discussion meeting, the two Councils made a visit to Nature in Art in Twigworth, where everyone joined in a creative clay workshop and looked around the museum at paintings and sculptures.

Within school, the Council advised classes on being more energy efficient, in line with a national initiative in schools. The Council decided that our school would join in with Gloucestershire special schools growing fruit and vegetables for a competition and they will be taking the final produce, grown by some classes, to The Shrubberies School in July, (if the produce has survived the move!)

The Council will be hosting a reunion party in July for Bettridge ex pupils from the last three years. Councillors are hoping to gain some insight into life beyond school as well as enjoying the company of old friends.