ABSTRACT
The Education and Skills Act (DCSF, 2008a) requires school governing bodies to invite and consider the views of pupils concerning school issues, with due consideration for their age and understanding. In Wales it is now a legal requirement for all schools to have a school council, and further legislation is planned for England. The principle that pupils must be enabled to participate in decisions affecting their own education and the development of their school is sometimes referred to as ‘pupil voice’, and the importance of pupil voice activities has been increasing rapidly over the past few years. Involving pupils more actively in consultation about their experiences of school and their views on teaching and learning is claimed to increase engagement:
Being consulted can help pupils feel that they are respected as individuals and as a body within the school. It can encourage them to feel that they belong, and that they are being treated in an adult way. Pupils who are at risk of disengaging may come back on board if they think that they matter to the school.
