STUDENT leaders have been selected by their peers to become official ambassadors for their school.
Gurney Pease Academy, Darlington, part of The Education Village Academy Trust, has appointed 12 new pupil representatives to its school council.
Two pupils from years 1 to 6 were selected for the coveted positions including Thomas Balcombe, five, Gracie Wilson, five, Harley Iceton, six, Lilly Wennington, six, Jayden Dixon, eight, Naomi Kundu-Dunn, seven, Ruby West, eight, Zac Wilson, nine, Richard Whiting, nine, Krystal Watts, nine, Lucy English, ten and Harvey Brown, ten.
Students in reception will be appointed to the council after an initial settling in period allowing them to adjust to their new school life.
Deputy Head Simon Heritage said: “All of our pupils were invited to put themselves forward for our academy’s student leadership roles. Each then had to deliver a presentation on why they would make a good representative for the academy before the rest of the class took part in a secret ballot.
“The student council gives pupils a voice on issues which they feel strongly about, such as how the school is run, creating rotas for using the school library, thoughts on wet play time activities and ideas to celebrate festivities such as Halloween and Christmas.
“It also helps to instil our British values, such as democracy and playing a part in decision making, as well as raising confidence and self-esteem in young people.”
Student Council members will also be responsible for attending regular meetings, representing the pupil voice and greeting and escorting visitors to the academy.
Year 2 council member Harley said: “I was a student council member last year and my class voted me in again this year so I must have done a good job.”
Year 6 ambassador Lucy English added: “I wanted to be a student council member so I could support the school and try to improve things like having more play equipment in the school yard and more after school clubs like Minecraft and cheerleading.
“I hope that I can be a good role model for our academy and make everyone that voted for me very proud.”