Woodhall School Parliament

At Woodhall, we are dedicated to building the leaders of the future as well as giving all children a voice and a chance to participate in how our school is run.

At the beginning of each school year, the children learn about the UK government- who is in power and how decisions are made. The children then think carefully about our own school and what qualities are needed to be a good Parliamentarian. From Year Two onwards, every child writes a speech outlining their own personal qualities, what they would do to help improve the school and why they would be a good choice to represent their class. Every child has the option to present their speech to their classmates and then private ballots are cast, determining who will form the new Woodhall School Parliament.

The Members of Woodhall Parliament (or MWPs) swear an oath to uphold the Woodhall School Values of: Aspiration, Inclusivity, Responsibility, Passion, Resilience and Family. At their first meeting, MWPs share their election speeches and vote on who will become the Prime Minister.

Not only does this process help our children understand the structures that underpin our society and the core British Values of Democracy, Rule of Law, Respect and Tolerance, Individual Liberty; it also helps them recognise their role and responsibility in shaping their community.

MWPs have several roles and responsibilities. They help carry out pupil voice surveys, asking children their opinions on matters such as rewards and certificates, books they would like in the library and greetings we should use in assembly. They collect ideas, organise class votes and then share their findings in MWP meetings and with the school adults. MWPs also meet with visitors such as Gagan Mohindra, our local MP and School Governors helping explain what life is like at Woodhall and asking and answering questions. They have also been involved in writing and presenting assemblies on a wide range of topics from attendance to Children in Need and the Woodhall Prime Minister writes a termly round up for parents.
Woodhall School Parliament firmly places our children at the heart of school improvement and helps children develop the Woodhall School Values that we hold dear.