How to harness pupil voice effectively

Find out how to constructively engage with pupil voice to affect positive change in your school, and see advice for approaching unrest such as pupil protests and social media campaigns.

Last reviewed on 22 March 2023
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 46286
Contents
  1. Provide clear ways for pupils to make their voices heard
  2. Create wider opportunities for empowerment 
  3. Communicating new rules and responding to unrest
  4. If you discover videos of school staff shared online

Provide clear ways for pupils to make their voices heard

Make it clear that you want your pupils to have a say in their school community and beyond. Create opportunities for them to share their opinions and make sure they know about them.

For example:

School council 

Advertise the work that your school council does, and the ways that all pupils can use it to raise concerns. For example:

  • Create a school council display with the pictures of class/year representatives and examples of changes that they’ve made
  • Call out their work in assemblies 
  • Ask class teachers to remind pupils about school council elections
  • Create an online form for pupils to submit suggestions to the school council
  • Use your newsletter to give pupils and parents termly updates on the student council’s work

Make sure that you actually