Our School Council – Together We Grow

At Silsoe VC Lower School, we believe that every child's voice matters. Guided by our Christian vision, Together We Grow, our School Council provides children with meaningful opportunities to share their ideas, express their views and play an active role in shaping our school community.

Our School Council is made up of elected representatives from each class who meet regularly to discuss ideas, gather the views of their classmates and work alongside staff to help make our school an even better place to learn and grow.

Through their involvement, children develop confidence, responsibility and leadership skills while learning about democracy, fairness, respect and the importance of listening to different perspectives. They are encouraged to consider the needs of others, work collaboratively, make thoughtful decisions and recognise how their actions can make a positive difference.

Rooted in our Christian values of kindness, confidence and resilience, our School Council helps children develop a strong sense of belonging and an understanding of their responsibilities towards others.

Our School Council puts our vision into action – encouraging one another, celebrating every voice and working together so that everyone can flourish. Together We Grow.

Our Eco Council – Caring for Our World

At Silsoe VC Lower School, we believe that we all have a responsibility to care for our environment and the world around us. Guided by our Christian vision, “Together We Grow”, our Eco Council encourages children to take an active role in protecting our planet, caring for God’s creation and making a positive difference to our school and wider community.

Our Eco Council brings together pupil representatives who work alongside staff, governors and the wider school community to promote environmental awareness and encourage sustainable choices. Children share ideas, listen to others and take practical action, developing confidence, responsibility, teamwork and leadership skills.

Our Eco Council promotes reducing waste, conserving water and energy, preventing litter and supporting biodiversity. Our Forest School area and school grounds offer opportunities to connect with nature, care for wildlife and understand the importance of protecting the environment for future generations.

Our Eco-Schools Success

We are incredibly proud that Silsoe VC Lower School has achieved the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction. This celebrates the commitment and positive environmental action of our children and wider school community.

Through the enthusiasm and leadership of our Eco Council, supported by staff, governors and families, we continue to encourage sustainable habits, reflect on our environmental impact and identify ways to make our school even greener.

Our Climate Action Plan

Our environmental work is supported by the school’s Climate Action Plan, which helps us identify priorities and take practical steps towards a more sustainable future. Working with our Sustainability Governor and a Climate Action Advisor from Let’s Go Zero 2030, we are developing our approach to sustainability across school life. Our Eco Council contributes an important pupil perspective, helping to turn shared plans into everyday actions and encouraging the whole school community to play its part.

Our Eco Council in Action

Our Eco Council takes an active role in caring for our school grounds and wider community. Children help identify opportunities to improve our environment and work together to make a positive difference.

Regular waste audits – Children monitor waste across school, consider ways to reduce it and encourage others to reuse and recycle.

Tree planting – Children take part in planting trees in our school grounds and local community, helping to create greener spaces and support wildlife.

Caring for our school planters – Children plant, water and care for flowers and plants, taking pride in their surroundings and learning to care for living things.

These practical activities help pupils develop teamwork, confidence and responsibility. They also show how our Christian vision, Together We Grow, inspires us to care for God’s creation through the everyday actions we take together.

Our SILSOE Eco-Code

Our children created the SILSOE Eco-Code to remind everyone of the simple actions we can take to care for our planet:

S – Save water and reduce waste.

I – Insects and wildlife – protect them all!

L – Litter – pick it up and keep our environment clean.

S – Sunlight – use natural light whenever we can.

O – Only use what you need.

E – Everyone can help care for the Earth!

Our Eco-Code is displayed around school, encouraging everyone to make positive choices and take responsibility for looking after our environment.

Together We Grow – Caring for Creation

Our Eco Council reflects our values of kindness, confidence and resilience. Inspired by the Christian belief that we are called to care for God’s creation, we encourage children to show respect, compassion and responsibility towards the natural world and all who share it.

By working together, listening to one another and taking positive action, children learn that their voices matter and that even small actions can make a meaningful difference.

At Silsoe, we care for our school, our community and our world. Together We Grow.

School Buddies – Growing Kindness, Friendship and Belonging

At Silsoe Lower School, we believe that every child should feel happy, safe, valued and included as part of our school community. Our Year 4 School Buddies play an important role in helping to create a caring and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong.

All Year 4 children are given the opportunity to volunteer to become a School Buddy, with a team of pupils selected each term. Following training and guidance from staff, our Buddies work in pairs to support younger children during playtimes.

Their responsibilities include helping younger pupils return to their classrooms, encouraging children to look after playground equipment, supporting positive friendships and offering a friendly face to anyone who may feel lonely or need someone to play with. Our Buddies know when to seek support from an adult and work alongside staff to help ensure that playtimes are happy, safe and inclusive.

Being a School Buddy provides valuable opportunities for our older pupils to develop confidence, responsibility, empathy and leadership skills. They learn the importance of listening to others, showing understanding, recognising when someone needs help and making a positive difference through small acts of kindness.

Our School Buddies reflect our Christian vision:

“For all to flourish as confident, resilient and kind individuals who encourage one another and grow together in God's love.”

Through their care and consideration for others, our Buddies help to build a school community where friendships flourish, differences are respected and every child is encouraged to feel a sense of belonging.

Together We Grow.