We’re starting 2022 with some fab new changes to the Class Meeting Tool!

Listening to your feedback as a member since the start of term has been a really important priority for us.

Have you given us some feedback? Asked a question? Dropped us an email with a suggestion? Well, thank you! We really appreciate it, and it’s the way in which we’ll keep trying to make Smart School Councils better and better for you ✅

Here’s a little run down of the main changes (with a few shout outs to members and schools who raised them) ⤵️

A brilliant member told us that the class meeting timer was causing a real issue for an autistic pupil in her class. When the discussion was finished before the timer had ended, the pupil found it distressing to skip ahead,

We couldn’t ignore this one, given our mission around inclusion. So now any class can turn off the timer if they’d like ⏰

We’re having more Colleges, Sixth Forms and non-mainstream settings joining. They were really struggling with the reference to ‘school’ in class meetings.

So you can now select the type of institution that you are, and it will change what classes see. Easy! 💅🏽

One of my personal favourite secondary members schools (I know, I know we’re not meant to have favourites) changes their 40 or 50 tutor groups EVERY year.

Setting these up one by one is a BIG faff.

So now you can download a little CSV (like an excel sheet), pop your classes in and upload them. Hopefully saving you some time if you’re in that boat ⛴

This one is mainly for the Class Meeting Tool experts out there. Or Smart School Councils geeks (of which I know there are a few!)

You couldn’t delete a draft before. If you changed your mind on a class meeting, you had to complete it before then deleting it. Now you can just delete your draft if you change your mind.

Complex, right? Well, I think you’ll find it useful :)

Last year, i received a BRILLIANT video from a Year 6 pupil from Valence Primary (via his equally brilliant teacher). He told us how the class meeting tool didn’t give you time to read out the options before the timer started. And that how in younger years, this was causing issues where they needed a bit more time to read the options.

Well, we’ve just rolled out a change which means that the timer doesn’t start until you click. One suggestion from a Year 6 pupil that’s changing the Class Meeting Tool forever - amazing! 🚀

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Karen, Abi, Becky and myself would LOVE to hear what you think 🤘🏾Drop us an email on our usual membership email.

Greg