Hemel Hempstead MP, Mike Penning, has called on local schools with a school council to enter the Speaker’s School Council Awards, a free national scheme which celebrates and recognises the important contribution that school councils make to pupils and local communities.

The scheme is open to every infant, primary and secondary school in the country and projects can be big or small, with the emphasis on the difference they have made to the school or community.

Every school that enters will receive a certificate of participation from the speaker, The Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP, and a special web badge can be displayed on the school’s website or headed paper. The four winning schools will be invited to an awards day in Parliament, where they will receive a special trophy and take part in celebration activities, and runners-up will be presented with an engraved commemorative plaque to display at their school. The closing date for the awards scheme is Monday 30th April 2012. Entering the scheme is easy and schools can fill in the application online at: www.speakersschoolcouncil.org [1]

Mike Penning said:
“School councils do such an important job in our schools and communities. I have seen the work they do and met many pupils who serve on school councils. I urge schools in the area to enter the Speaker’s competition and hope that one of them can bring the trophy to Dacorum this year!”