Developing a Systematic Approach to Student Voice

In our publication, Creating Consistency: Developing a shared understanding of behaviour in international schools, we highlighted how perceptions of behaviour vary widely between different members of a school community. Naturally, there are variations between individual settings and staff teams, but broadly speaking, leaders and teachers tend to be more positive than students about the behaviour climate in their school.

There are a number of potential explanations for this: proximity to behaviour on an everyday basis; varying definitions of what might be deemed ‘good’ behaviour; and the impact of increasingly inclusive school environments, to name but a few.

But why are these findings significant? Because understanding pupils’ perceptions of behaviour, and taking their views into account, is fundamental to creating a positive, supportive behaviour identity that meets the needs of every child and young person.

To formulate an accurate, school-wide picture, then, we need to implement strategies that facilitate a systematic approach to student voice. Often, however, this is easier said than done.

The limitations of some student voice models

As caring, responsible professionals, who strive to make every child and young person feel safe and secure, we know that engaging with and actively listening to our students’ views is of paramount importance. It enables us to intervene promptly where necessary, and take steps to ensure that behaviour does not adversely affect any child’s academic progress, wellbeing and safety, or personal development. For example, if a young person were to come to us with worries around bullying, we would naturally listen to their concerns, and take appropriate action in line with our school’s policies and procedures.

Each and every one of us is committed to helping our students feel seen, heard and valued: to that end, we put mechanisms in place to ‘capture’ student voice, and eradicate or mitigate potential issues. Whether this is through establishing a ‘worry box’, building a friendship bench, or setting up a student council, we are always looking for ways to tune into the opinions and feelings of our student body.

While such initiatives are, of course, well-intentioned, and are indisputably successful to a point, they sometimes lack a systematic, consistent approach. Ultimately, they can end up being too simplistic and disjointed in terms of what they reveal to us about our students’ attitudes to and concerns about behaviour.

How to establish a systematic approach to student voice

To help us build a clearer picture of students’ perceptions of behaviour in our schools, we need to ensure that our approach to student voice is strategic, systematic, and sustainable. So what steps can we take to enable us to do this?

1: Provide regular discussion opportunities

The most effective way to garner students’ opinions is to provide regular opportunities, over an extended period, for them to talk, and for us to listen. By actively listening, and collaboratively deciding on appropriate follow-up actions, children can feel confident that we are taking their views and suggestions on board.

This can only happen against the backdrop of an open culture built on mutual trust and respect between staff and pupils. Young people need to feel confident and comfortable to speak up about a variety of issues, safe in the knowledge that they won’t be blamed or judged for doing so.

2: Develop agency and autonomy amongst pupils

Every school is different: some may only have EYFS and younger children on roll, while others might accept pupils all the way through to Sixth Form and beyond. However, when it comes to approaches to student voice, even very young students – with the right structured support and guidance – are capable of making decisions and working collaboratively with their peers.

When we hand the organisation of student voice over to our students, we stand to reap a number of benefits: firstly, it engenders the principles of autonomy, agency and ownership, not only around what happens in school, but also, ultimately, in the wider community. Taking responsibility for their own actions and outcomes equips young people with the tools they need to be successful in later life.

Not only that, student-run initiatives reassure pupils that their thoughts and opinions matter. Rather than student voice becoming something that is ‘done to’ them, we can instead create active participants who are empowered with the skills and knowledge they need to organise themselves effectively.

3: Align our approach with our core values

As leaders and teachers, we all have deeply-ingrained values that we hold dear to our hearts, and that form the bedrock of our approach to every aspect of school life. These might include values like respect, compassion, inclusion, acceptance, and resilience, for example.

Building a model of student voice that aligns seamlessly with our core principles increases the chances of success in both the short and long term.

4: Communicate the benefits to all

Often, a student voice framework can falter because it is not communicated clearly to everyone within the immediate school community and beyond, including parents and carers.

To ensure buy-in at all levels, and to create an authentic, rather than tokenistic, model, we need to prioritise clear and detailed communication around the intent and implementation of our student voice approach. When everyone understands its purpose and value, it is more likely to become securely embedded in school life.

5: Promote inclusion

Some pupils might find it harder than others to articulate their opinions, or share their views, so we need to be mindful of tuning into all voices, not just a select few.

By considering the needs and capabilities of individual students, as well as groups of pupils, we can identify ways to maximise participation, and ensure that any approach to student voice encompasses the broadest possible spectrum of opinions.

Student voice at the heart of decision-making

If we are to meet the needs of every child and young person in our setting, student voice should be at the top of the agenda. Combining rich qualitative and quantitative data enables us to build a much more accurate picture of what behaviour looks like, from the perspective of both individuals, and groups of pupils. As a result, we can ensure their viewpoints are incorporated into our policies and practices, creating the foundations of a supportive and positive environment for all.

Thank you for reading. If you’d like to talk to us about your needs when it comes to supporting behaviour in your setting, please get in touch any time.