What is it?

We are the voice of our class.

Our Junior Leadership Team is democracy, a British value, in action. The Junior Leadership Team (JLT) of Moortown Primary consists of two representatives of each class, from Reception to Year 6. The JLT meets frequently, at least once every half-term, to express views and make decisions.

We were elected by our class having a vote. This was democratic. We made speeches to say why we thought we’d be good at the job.

Staff are always keen to know the views of our pupils. For example, following curriculum-themed weeks we meet with the JLT to know more about what went well – junior leaders tell us they enjoy having visitors in school and mixing classes up to work with children from different year groups.

Previously known as the School Council, decisions have included what new library books to buy for the school library (they even have their own budget for this) and how to improve outdoor areas around the school – the JLT chose to invest in more large play equipment. Beyond school, the JLT have met with Leeds City Council to give their preference and opinion on play equipment for Moortown Park. The JLT are sometimes even involved in the recruitment of staff in school. The council also have the final say on what charity the school supports over the course of the year – in 2024-25, Moortown Primary is supporting Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Representatives of the JLT are very much active citizens. Junior leaders have attended Leeds Youth Voice Summit and curriculum conferences in the local authority. They have been involved in primary–secondary school transition projects, local business launches, health surveys and planning Takeover Day. The JLT are keen to share their views about different issues that affect them. For example, they have worked with Living Streets to carry out an audit in the local area to explore why some families might not yet be coming to school in an active way.

There are too many cars and vans parked on the pavement making it unsafe for us when we walk to school.

Two of our previous councillors, Bronwyn and Farhaan, have even represented the nation’s young people as part of the Children’s Commissioner’s work!

Feedback from the meetings is given by the junior leaders to their classes, in assembly, to staff in professional development meetings and to other relevant members of the school community, for example, office staff and kitchen staff.

Join in

Each year, pupils at Moortown Primary elect two junior leaders from each class.

Based on election speeches, they vote for the candidate who they think will represent them best.

If you want to be part of the JLT, tell your teacher when it’s close to election time and prepare your speech well.

We want our children to use their pupil voice to make suggestions for items to be discussed at JLT meetings so encourage them to use the Living and Learning box to let the current junior leaders of each class know their views and ideas!

The best thing about being a junior leader is that you can help all the children in the school and help to make our school better.