Posted on: Friday 5 June 2026
Members of the council's Junior Forum met this week to showcase the work their school councils have done over the past year.
Ten pupils from George Street, Griffithstown, Penygarn and New Inn primary schools met at the council chamber, at Civic Centre, in Pontypool, on Thursday, where they voted for the project they wanted to take on next year.
The pupils cast their votes using ballot papers and a ballot box before they were counted and the winner was announced.
New Inn Primary School Council's project to introduce inclusive play and well-being areas at break time was the winner. They will now work with the other schools to help them set up their own areas.
Year 5 pupil Alexis said: "We started by clearing a shed for skipping ropes and then we opened a book cwtch. My favourite bit is the book cwtch because there's lots of things in there you can try."
Harley, Year 4, said: "The book cwtch is very popular and there were kids queuing up to go in there. We now have 10 minute time limits so everyone can have a turn in there."
Zoe, Year 5, added: "I'm really glad the other schools chose our project. I think we've done really well with it and maybe the other schools can give us ideas on how to improve it."
Griffithstown Primary School Year 4 pupil Jaia said: "I chose New Inn School's project. I liked their book cwtch and the different things they had in there."
Johnel, Year 6, added: "I think it's going to be really popular in our school and have a beneficial impact on pupils."
The other projects were:
- Penygarn Primary School: Opportunities to improve physical and mental health for everyone.
- Griffithstown Primary School: Encourage children to eat healthy at break times and lunch times and to drink lots of water.
- George Street Primary School: Encourage more children to walk to school or park + stride.
During the forum meeting, the pupils also took part in a session about the Senedd Cymru and got chance to taste test new lemon and blueberry muffins and flapjacks, which will be on primary school menus from September.
Cllr Richard Clark, Executive Member for Children, Families and Education, said: "It's great to hear how members of the Junior Forum have been sharing the work their school councils have done. It's a great way of learning from each other and ensuring their views reach a wider audience.
"Our junior and senior youth forums, Torfaen Youth Alliance and annual council take over days are all geared to giving children and young people the chance for us to listen to what they have to say."
The next Torfaen Junior Youth Forum will take place in the autumn term.
The forum is being piloted with primary schools in the West Monmouth School cluster for two years. It will be reviewed next year with a view to extending it to other schools.