Pupil voice refers to the idea that students should have a say in decisions that affect their education and overall school experience. This concept is gaining popularity in schools across the world, as educators realise that by giving students a voice, they can become more engaged in their own learning and feel a greater sense of ownership and belonging within the school community.
Our popular model for pupil voice is the Smart School Council model. This model is based on the idea that every student has a voice and should be given the opportunity to use it. The model encourages schools to establish student-led councils, where every student
Developing pupil voice in primary schools is usually done by establishing a school council. But establishing a school council is just one way to promote pupil voice.
Other strategies include class councils, student surveys, and regular feedback sessions with teachers and administrators. By creating these opportunities for students to share their thoughts and ideas, schools can make sure that students feel heard, valued, and engaged in their own learning.
- Start small and build momentum by identifying a specific issue or topic that students care about and want to address.
- Use a variety of methods to gather feedback and ideas from students, such as surveys, focus groups, suggestion boxes, or online platforms like Smart School Councils.
- Create opportunities for students to take ownership and leadership roles in the process, such as organising events, presenting to staff, or leading discussions.
- Ensure that the school leadership is supportive and engaged in the process, by sharing feedback and ideas with staff and taking action on issues raised by students.
- Celebrate and recognise the achievements of student voice initiatives, by sharing successes with the wider school community, such as through newsletters, social media, or assemblies.
Check our blog for loads of ideas on how to embed pupil voice :)