On 24 June seventy pupils from seven schools from the Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnership met at Millwall Football Club to celebrate Pupil Voice in their schools.

Alice Gladen, Hannah Schofield, Francesca McClymont (Year 7), Polly Bryans, Sarah Waite, Matilda Longfield (Year 8) and Adele Fraser, Rebecca Howard, Caroline Beardmore, Louise Hufton (Year 9) represented JAGS at the conference.

Following a superb warm up, a human pictionary activity led by Mark Stafford, the pupils felt at ease with their peers. Having dazzled us with his magic skills Mark then left the pupils with an effective message about the importance of good communication skills.

The pupils then moved with their mixed school groups to tables to debate the motion “children should be seen and not heard” using the concept of “thinking hats” as a framework to help them. Although 67 out of 70 pupils did not support the motion, which was no surprise, they appreciated the aim of this activity which was to use their communication skills, express their opinions, and work with pupils from other schools whom they had only just met.
 
The third event of the morning was for the pupils to discuss what their schools do to encourage them to share their thoughts and opinions, how they are given responsibilities and how their opinions can make a difference to their learning experience. Pupils had prepared for this session prior to the event so came armed with plenty of information about pupil voice in their school such as school councils/forums, form captains, mentoring, groups and committees and lesson observation activities. As well as collating ideas on a poster and making notes in their booklets they also summarised what pupil voice means to each of them on a post-it note, which they posted on a large wall. Memorable examples of pupil voice led changes and activities in Southwark schools include the removal of school bells, changes to school uniform design and observation of lessons by pupils, not inspectors!
Having shared their ideas the pupils met back with their own schools and decided on one key idea to take back to school and put into practice. Ideas included incorporating charity fundraising events into year/house groups and improving the seating system in dining halls to ensure younger pupils have somewhere to sit.

The two year SSLP project focussing on the Pupil Voice theme has now come to an end, but following the conference we are confident pupils will take back plenty of ideas to their schools and continue their good work for the future.  For photos please click here.

Alice Wynn-Jones
Deputy Head of Section, Year 7