Pupil Voice
Here at St Mary’s we believe in engaging pupils as active participants in their education and in making a positive contribution to their school and local community.
We have a School Council who seek the views of their peers and meet regularly to discuss pertinent issues to our whole school community. We actively listen to children’s views and suggestions and discuss these at our Senior Leadership meetings. They can tell us what works well and things they feel could be improved. Children are given chance to debate and hold votes around key decisions. The outcomes of the senior leadership meetings are communicated with children so they can see what has happened as a result of their input.
We also regularly talk to children or give them questionnaires to help us monitor and improve school issues.
There are many benefits to the listening to the pupil voice such as increased confidence, self-respect, competence and an improved sense of responsibility. Children know that their voice is listened to. They feel a sense of belonging in school and they understand that their participation in the decision-making process is highly valued. It also helps children to develop an understanding of democracy. As a result, children have an increased motivation and engagement with learning. It has also led to a well-developed sense of whole school community.