One of the unique features of Stirling’s children’s services is its system of student representation. Pupil councils in each of the authority’s seven secondary schools send two members to a monthly student forum which debates issues and produces papers and motions which can be discussed and voted upon by the council’s children’s committee.

Two other secondary students are also co-opted on to the student forum. They are voted directly on to the children’s committee by the student body as a whole.

“The two children’s committee student reps, one male and one female, produce their own manifestos to get elected (see panels). This is done anonymously, so it’s not a case of voting for your pals or even your school but of voting for the manifestos produced by the candidates,” says Ann Strang, chair of the children’s committee.

“The student forum is a student-only body but they can and do invite councillors, people from Stirling’s children’s services and council services in general, as they see fit. Issues raised are brought to the children’s committee by the two student representatives.”

Any service department representative can apply to attend the student forum. The council’s catering manager, for example, recently addressed the forum to explain new catering arrangements for schools.

Community council representatives have also addressed the forum. They have their own forum, the Stirling Assembly, and they are keen to encourage more young people to take part in local community councils and the Stirling Assembly.

“The whole system is very democratic, beginning with pupil councils in individual schools,” says Mrs Strang. “It’s beneficial for us. It lets us see what their views are. They can comment on policies, anti-bullying or whatever, and this can influence the way children’s committee members vote.

“It’s good for children’s services, for the councillors and the young people. It’s not just tokenistic. It gives them a real voice.”

The student forum is working on a code of conduct for pupils which reflects the council’s code for staff and is also discussing Stirling’s policy on citizenship, “Young Citizens Make a Difference”.

“We want their views on what it feels like to be a young person and also on how well they feel they are listened to,” says Marion Wallace-Gee, acting manager for the council’s access services.

The student representatives elected to the children’s committee are also active in their own right. Recently, Kathryn Savage, from St Modan’s High, attended a conference on Higher Still assessment procedures and presented the views of senior pupils at her school. She also canvassed opinions from senior pupils at the other six secondaries.

Although primary pupils are not directly represented at the forum, the secondary school representatives are making efforts to take up issues raised at pupil councils by their cluster primaries.

“It’s a developing system and the young people are expressing the benefits of being involved and are helping to shape services for young people in Stirling,” says Ms Wallace-Gee.

“It’s about active citizenship,” says Mrs Strang, “To promote this we also give citizenship awards. We’ve given an award to an innovative pupil council which undertook some building development work. They awarded the contract and came out well within budget.

“We also gave an individual citizenship award to a young carer who looked after his dad who was in a wheelchair.

“The awards are there to recognise the work the young people do.”

Kathryn Savage, St Modan’s High

I am a 16-year-old sixth year female. As a career, I would like to be a nurse, a physiotherapist or - you can always dream - the first Scottish astronaut!

If I were elected I would listen carefully to everyone’s point of view: my e-mail address would be circulated to all schools. Issues I would promote are: u Pupil representation on interview panels for the appointment of teachers. After all, WE are the consumers of education.

u The provision of tasty, healthy food in all of our dining halls and, importantly, at a reasonable price.

u The entitlement of every pupil to be happy and comfortable in our schools, free from bullying of any kind. As experienced senior pupils we MUST be consulted on possible solutions to this problem.

I’d like to represent all of us, from S1 to S6. Trust me.

Thomas Alexander, McLaren High

If you elect me to be your representative on the council’s children’s committee I shall campaign for the following: u Introduction of pupil cards to provide the same benefits as student cards, such as discounts on travel, cinema tickets, clothing and CDs.

u Improved safety to and from schools, such as road speed reductions and parking restrictions.

u Introduction of half-price fares on buses until you leave school.

u Youth projects in rural areas.

u Encourage mentoring schemes.

u Improved quality and value for money for school meals.

u Increase range and scope of extra-curricular activities.