YLL from Greenbrae School Visit YLL at Riverbank School
A number of children from Riverbank applied to be a YLL – Young Leader of Learning! Approximately 8 children were chosen through a volunteer and selection process. Our YLL went to a training session with YLL from three other primary schools. We were paired up with Greenbrae Primary at Bridge of Don and the aim was for the children from each school to visit each other and look at ways of improving things in their respective schools. It didn’t mean that there was anything wrong with what was happening in their school it just meant that we might be able to do things even better.
The children met with Mrs Jolly from Education Scotland and Matthew Reid from ACC, who were in school to lend support to the VOICE of the pupils.
Our pupils shared with the Greenbrae pupils how they felt about the school and showed them the Riverbank DVD. They chose a project they were proud of to share with our visitors. The children chose to share the work carried out by last year’s P7s on the Friendship Bench. They explained its purpose and also that the P7s had been part of BBC’s Newsround. We even showed them clips from Newsround.
The Greenbrae pupils interviewed and asked some tricky questions of two focus groups of staff which included teachers, PSAs, the school counsellor and a RADS coach. They also interviewed two focus groups of pupils with representation from P1 to P7.
The two groups of YLL children lunched together and also had time out in the playground together. During their time in the playground, the two YLL groups visited the Friendship Bench and tried it out!
The feedback at the end of the session was led by Mrs Jolly and Mr Reid and we got some great ideas from the children which we will do our best to put in place in the very near future.
What an excellent learning experience this was for all the pupils. Everyone…..YLL pupils and interviewees alike, said how much they had enjoyed the event, not to mention how excited many of the children were about being given the chance to express themselves and have their ideas listened to and acted on.
Well done to everyone!
UNCRC / RRSA
Article 12 – Every child has the right to have a say in all matters affecting them, and to have their views taken seriously.
Article 13 – Every child must be free to say what they think and to seek and receive all kinds of information, as long as it is within the law.
Article 15 – Every child has the right to meet with other children and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.