How This SEMH School Built a School Council to Empower Every Student's Voice and Tackle Real-World Issues
In this new episode of All Chalk, we speak to Damien Cresswell, Associate Head at Parkhouse School in Barnsley, part of the Keys Group. Damien shares how his school, catering to students with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, has transformed pupil voice through a model that’s inclusive, practical, and deeply empowering.
Damien’s journey from mainstream primary teaching to leading a specialist SEMH school has shaped his approach to school councils. Early on, he recognised that traditional models - where a small group of elected pupils make decisions - often left out the quieter voices and failed to reflect the diverse needs of students. At Parkhouse, the goal was different: to create a school council that truly represents every student and supports the development of communication, confidence, and critical thinking skills.
“We’re not going to have an impact unless we’ve got the pupils on board.”
— Damien Cresswell, Parkhouse School
In this episode, we explore:
✅ How Parkhouse uses fortnightly class meetings in small tutor groups to ensure every pupil has a voice
✅ How debate and discussion are structured to support SEMH needs while building listening and empathy
✅ Why linking global issues to local action makes pupil voice more meaningful and impactful
✅ The importance of adapting Smart School Councils’ tools to fit each school’s unique setting
Damien also discusses how the school is scaling up its use of Smart School Councils across the wider Keys Group network of 25 schools. By gathering pupil voice at both the school and group level, they’re building a model of participation that goes beyond ticking a box, and begins to influence real change.
From debating local recycling initiatives to tackling global political issues, Damien's students are engaging with the world around them in ways that are both thoughtful and transformative.
Whether you're in a specialist provision or a mainstream school looking to make pupil voice more inclusive, this is a must-listen episode packed with practical insights.
Want to check it out?
