Woodlawn School Council

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Pupil Voice Within schools, pupil involvement in decision making is often referred to as ‘pupil voice’. Pupil voice is about pupils having the opportunity to have a say in decisions in school that affect them. It entails pupils playing an active role in their education and schooling as a result of schools becoming more attentive and responsive, in sustained and routine ways, to pupils’ views (Hargreaves 2004).

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 There are a number of different drivers for, and potential benefits from, pupil voice, including:

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• Children’s rights, which recognises that children have rights, including the right to have their opinions taken into account in decisions that concern them

• Active citizenship, which highlights how pupil voice can contribute to preparation for citizenship by improving pupils’ knowledge and ‘social’ skills and, in doing so, enhance the quality of democracy

• School improvement, which recognises that consultation with pupils can lead to better school performance, whether in terms of improved behaviour, engagement or attainment among pupils

• Personalisation, which utilises pupil voice to ensure that schools are meeting the specific needs of their pupils as consumers

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At Woodlawn School each class is represented by a student council representative. Each class take part in a system of voting to choose their class representative.

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Two teaching Assistants support the running of the student council:

Emma Emmerson ~ Primary Department.

Sharon Penfold ~ Secondary Department

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Meetings take place each half term and focus on particular areas of school development e.g Playtime activities and respources