How this international school built a culture of inclusive pupil voice through their school council
Teacher: Louise Russell, Year 5 Teacher
School: British International School Budapest
Smart School Council user since: 2022
Location: Budapest, HU
Why the school needed a more inclusive approach to pupil voice
When Louise became PSHE lead, she was handed responsibility for the school council. Like many traditional models, the school council at BISB was built around elected representatives and weekly meetings. But Louise quickly saw the limitations: the same dominant voices doing most of the talking, the energy fading by the end of the year, and uncertainty around the council’s impact.
In an international school with a highly diverse and transient student population, she needed something that could involve all students - without adding a heavy burden to staff. She started looking for an alternative that could both empower students and be manageable alongside her full teaching timetable.
What Louise did to build a more impactful model of pupil voice
Louise discovered the Smart School Councils model and attended one of our early in-person trainings in the UK. Inspired by the potential of an inclusive, student-led system, she spent her summer break planning how to bring it back to BISB.
The first step was getting staff on board. She used INSET days to explain how the new model could strengthen communication skills and leadership across all classes - and gained strong support from her colleagues.
Next, she introduced the model to students through assemblies and leadership recruitment, encouraging Year 5 and 6 pupils to step up as Communication Team leaders.
They began small: asking whole-school questions with immediate, visible impact - like where to place the student council board. These quick wins helped build trust, spark engagement, and demonstrate that every vote could lead to action.
What’s changed since launching Smart School Councils at BISB
✅ Pupil voice is now embedded into the weekly timetable through structured Class Meetings
✅ Every student - regardless of age or confidence level - has a say in shaping school life
✅ Topics reflect real-world relevance, helping pupils connect global issues to local action
✅ Communication Teams are becoming increasingly student-led and independent
✅ Teachers are seeing improved confidence, communication, and collaboration across year groups
“As teachers, we don’t need to lead it,” Louise explains. “We just need to support and listen.”
Louise’s Top Tips
🔹 Embed pupil voice across your curriculum to reinforce real-world skills
🔹 Celebrate a wide range of contributions, from confident public speakers to reflective thinkers
🔹 Use Class Meetings as a safe space to explore personal development themes
🔹 Encourage leadership by giving students responsibility for running their own meetings
🔹 Foster a culture where listening and respectful disagreement are seen as valuable life skills
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