ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some of the research on what children like about school and rather more research on what children dislike about school, and prioritises the voices of children and young people over academic theory. It provokes thought about the value of listening to children and young people’s perspectives on their experiences of life in their classrooms, and the extent to which their right to be heard and listened to is made possible by schools and policy-makers. The chapter begins by considering children’s and young people’s perspectives on being part of the school system. It then takes a closer look at classroom life by considering children’s and young people’s experiences of different teaching styles, assessment and ranking, fear in the classroom, and their perspectives on how a low family income can affect their participation in school activities. The chapter ends on a positive note by considering children’s and young people’s wishes for what their schools could be like.
