At Coombe, we are strongly committed to the Student Voice. We pride ourselves in being a”listening” school both within and beyond the classroom environment. Our strap line, “Preparing You for a World of Opportunity”, implies a responsibility to open up channels of communication and empowers young people to use them, so our students become accustomed to playing an important part in the life of Coombe.Student Council works to agendas that are organised around four main headings, Successes, Learning issues, New Initiatives and The Environment.
During 2010-2011, Student Council took a lead on many issues including:
- The design of the new website
- Changes to the school uniform, including the introduction of a blazer
- Changes in the school canteen, including cashless catering, menu choices and pricing
- The Kingston Children and Young People’s Plan, which included working with the Director of Children and Young People’s Services for Kingston to prepare a consultation that has been rolled out across the authority
- A review of school Equal Opportunities and Anti-bullying policies
- The set up and promotion of a new after school swimming club
- Deciding on the Jack Petchey Award winner each month
- Staff recruitment: student panels have been instrumental in appointing a number of senior members of staff, including the new Head of the Coombe Federation
At the beginning of each academic year, tutor groups each elect two Year Council representatives to sit on the Year Council. Year Council meetings are calendared to take place twice a month and are chaired by the Deputy Heads of Year.
Of the Year Councillors, two are elected to represent their year on Student Council, although additional students are encouraged to attend whenever possible. Posts of responsibility, such as Student Council Secretary have been created to allow those who have a real commitment to Student voice work to take more of a leading role. Student Council occurs every month and appears in the school calendar; all meetings take place in the training room, unless otherwise stated.
The Coombe Girls’ Student Council has the opportunity to attend a Kingston School Council Forum once a term. Each forum is usually hosted by a Kingston School and it provides the chance for Student Councils from all the Kingston schools to share their projects and to contribute to borough-wide issues such as Safer Neighbourhoods and Recycling.
The Jack Petchey Award Scheme
Coombe Girls’ School and Sixth Form is entitled to elect a Jack Petchey Achievement Award Winner. Recipients do not have to be the best at sport, work or anything else, but they must have contributed to the club or community in a significant way. Equally, Achievement Award Winners can be recognised for personal developments and positive personality traits.
Achievement Award Winners will receive:
- A framed certificate
- A pin badge
- £200 to be spent on a school project of their choice.
| Date | Year |
| September | Year 9 |
| October | Key Stage 5 |
| November | Year 11 |
| January | Year 8 |
| February | Key Stage 4 |
| March | Key Stage 5 |
| April | Year 10 |
| May | Key Stage 3 |
| June | Year 7 |