Pupil participation

What is 'pupil participation'?  

'Pupil participation', also known as learner participation or pupil voice, is a practice in educational settings where children and young people are actively involved in decision-making processes. Here are some key aspects of pupil participation: 

1. Inclusion in the School or Setting's Vision: Pupil participation and building positive relationships are integral parts of the vision and ethos. 
2. Leadership Support: Leaders and managers have a clear strategy for promoting participation and fostering good relationships. 
3. Respect for Diversity and Equality: Children and young people respect the rights of others and understand the importance of diversity and equality. 
4. Roles and Structures: There are clear roles and structures in place across the school or setting to capture the views of all children and young people on a wide range of issues relating to school improvement. 
5. Opportunities to Participate: Children and young people have a breadth of opportunities to participate within and beyond the school or setting to contribute to debate and influence decisions across a wide range of issues that affect them. 
6. Training and Development: Children and young people and staff access good quality training that is well targeted to develop the skills, knowledge, and understanding needed to facilitate opportunities for children and young people to have their voices heard in discussions and in decision-making. 

Why is it important? 

Pupil participation is important for several reasons: 

1. Supports Success and Wellbeing: Effective pupil participation can support children and young people to feel success and improve their wellbeing. It encourages engagement, agency, and personal and social skills such as listening, communication, negotiation, prioritising and working with others and supports children and young people to become active participants in their school or setting. 
2. Builds positive relationships between children and young people and staff. 
3. Contributes to School Improvement: Where pupil participation is strong, children and young people make a valuable contribution to school improvement by influencing decisions on wellbeing, learning experiences, and the quality of teaching. They can also help to identify the school's future priorities. 
4. Promotes Active Citizenship: Pupil participation promotes active citizenship by giving children and young people a voice and a choice in their education. This aligns with the principles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which states that every child has the right to express their views, feelings, and wishes in all matters affecting them. They also gain a better understanding of the rights of other members of the school community and of the consequences of actions that affect others. 
5. Encourages Informed Decision Making: Strong pupil participation can support school improvement by helping the school to identify future priorities and make more informed decisions on wellbeing, learning experiences, and the quality of teaching. 

It is important to note that just having a school council doesn't always automatically result in effective levels of pupil participation. Effective pupil participation requires appropriate planning, training for both children and young people and staff and sometimes a change of school ethos. Effective pupil participation requires a comprehensive approach that involves the entire school community. 

How can pupil participation take place? 

Schools and settings can organise pupil participation in a variety of ways. Here are some effective strategies: 

1. School Councils: This gives children and young people a platform to express their views, feelings, and wishes in all matters affecting them. 
2. Mentorship or 'Buddy' Programmes: In many schools, children and young people act as mentors or 'buddies' to their peers. 
3. Various Councils and Forums: Schools and settings can develop a range of opportunities for children and young people to participate in school life, such as a pupil-led teaching and learning forum, a Pastoral Council, a Community Council and Curriculum Councils. 
4. Surveys and Focus Groups: Schools should use a range of methods to regularly engage with children and young people. Examples include surveys, focus groups, one to one discussion, working groups (which could include children and young people, staff, and governors/trustees), school councils and other peer-led activities. 
5. Vision and Ethos: Make pupil participation a central part of the school's vision and have a clear strategy for promoting participation and for building good relationships. 
6. Inclusion: Make it clear that everyone should be involved. 

What does the law say? 

There are several laws and guidelines that underpin pupil participation in schools: 

1. The Convention on the Rights of the Child: This international treaty, which is promoted in the UK by UNICEF's Rights Respecting Schools programme, includes Article 12, which gives every child the right to express their views, feelings, and wishes in all matters affecting them. 
2. Education Act 2002: Section 176 of this act indicates that local authorities and schools should consult with children and young people when taking decisions that affect them. 
3. Education and Skills Act 2008: This act requires school governing bodies to invite children and young people to give their views on prescribed matters. 
4. Ofsted's Inspection Regulations 2005 and the 2005 White Paper, Higher Standards, Better Schools for All: These suggest greater provision for 'pupil voice' and encourage schools to involve school councils in decision-making. 
5. The Equality Act 2010: This act places a duty on schools to eliminate discrimination and advance equality of opportunity which underpins the importance of ensuring all children and young people are able to share their views and get their voice heard. 

These laws and guidelines collectively emphasise the importance of pupil participation in schools, ensuring that children and young people's views are heard and valued in decision-making processes. They recognise children and young people as active participants in their own education. 

What support is available? 

National 

Emotionally Healthy Schools - Emotionally Healthy Schools provide information and guidance along with further signposting around pupil participation. 

Anna Freud - Anna Freud provide some top tips around pupil participation as well as demonstrating what it can look like in practice.  

Norfolk 

Norfolk run a number of pupil participation groups including Youth Advisory Boards, SEND discussion forums and groups for young carers.  

Key contacts  

If you would like any further support or signposting, please call 0333 313 7165 to get in touch with one of our advisers. This phone line is open on weekdays, from 9am to 5pm. You can also email inclusionandsend@norfolk.gov.uk if you are unable to call.