Pupil Participation Policy
Date
Date Approved
April 2017
Date of Review
April 2018
Chair of Management
Committee
Sue Cain
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Definition
Pupil Participation is about children and young people having their voice heard, valued and respected in the context
of education and having and active and integral part in the decision making processes that affect their lives on a day
to day basis in an education setting.
Pupil Participation in context
International
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international agreement that protects the
human rights of children under the age of 18. The UNCRC sets out these rights in 54 articles. Several of these articles
are particularly relevant in an educational setting. Specifically article 13 and 17 which sets out the right of children
and young people to access and share reliable information; whilst articles 28-30 set out the right to an education
that develops every child and young person’s personalities, skills and abilities to the full in the context of their
language, religious beliefs and culture.
The basis for pupil participation can be found in article 12 of the UNCRC which sets out the right of children and
young people to express their opinion and to have those opinions taken into account, values and respected when
any decisions are being made that will affect them. This right is seen as empowering and enables children and young
people to access and understand their broader rights under the convention.
UNICEF have developed a The Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA) …..
National
Under section 176 of the Education Act 2002 local authorities and maintained schools are currently required to have
regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State about consultation with pupils in connection with the taking
of decisions which affect them. In January 2014 the Department for Education issued statutory guidance to local
authorities and maintained schools requiring them to consider and plan for how best to provide opportunities for
pupils to be consulted on all matters of school life. Pupil Voice is a term that regularly gets used to encapsulate
participation and consultation with children and young people in an educational setting.
Ofsted has promoted the use of pupil participation, in the annual report of education and social care the HM Chief
Inspector wrote “Empowerment is not just about academic success; it also means having your views listened to,
respected and acted upon. It is increasingly case that young people are being asked for their views; it is right that
they are engaged in their own learning and development in this way” they went on to say that “Pupils’ satisfaction
can be a useful barometer for the overall quality of the school”. Inspectors are required to speak to school councils
now and make a judgement on the effectiveness of the school’s Pupil Voice policy and practices.
Local
Stockton-On-Tees Local Authority has set out priorities and actions for improving and enhancing children’s rights and
participation in a scheme known as the Single Equality Scheme. Schools across the Borough have the opportunity to
work closely with School Improvement colleagues to become recognised has having an Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM)
at either bronze, silver and gold standard. A key element that underpins this quality mark is pupil voice and schools
have to demonstrate how they gather the views and opinions of their pupils and how that then informs school
development, decision making and practice.
Our School (Ethos)
Here at the Bishopton we work with some of the most vulnerable young people in the Borough who may be
experiencing some genuinely difficult and challenging issues that are having a negative impact on their self-esteem,
ability to learn and current levels of motivation. Despite this, and perhaps the behaviour they have previously
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demonstrated we believe that our pupils have the power and ability to transform their lives and achieve great
success. We aim to empower them, to inspire them and raise their self-esteem so they feel motivated to engage in
their education and become actively involved in the running of the school, we believe that children and young
people who are given a sense of ownership in their education will be able to demonstrate the great competence
they possess.
So strong is our commitment to pupil participation that we feel ready and energised to become recognised as a
UNICEF Rights Respecting School (RRSA) and an inclusive school by gaining the Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM). We
intend to secure a Level 2 Award in Rights Respecting and a Gold Standard in the IQM over the next two years.
Rationale
Here at the Bishopton we recognise that children and young people who participate in decision making enjoy
enhanced self-esteem and motivation, gain important personal, social and organisational skills and become familiar
with democratic processes. We believe that pupil participation leads to better relationships, more relevant and
effective policies and improved outcomes for pupils. Our school is committed to developing effective pupil
participation working together as partners ensuring that the school provides the best possible learning environment
for all. In line with our School Development Plan we recognise the importance of ensuring opportunities to
participate in decision-making processes are made accessible to all pupils including those that are from the more
vulnerable groups.
We also recognise that pupil voice directly impacts on safeguarding, if children and young people feel empowered to
raise concerns about themselves or each other, issues can be dealt with swiftly and effectively.
Strategic Aims
Here at the Bishopton we hold the value that participation is not a singular event or a series of events, activities and
actions that are designed to put a “tick in the box” of pupil participation. We believe that it forms a process of active
citizenship rather than tokenism. Roger Hart developed a concept of a ladder of participation with the top 5 rungs of
the ladder being truly representative of participation:
Child Initiated, shared decisions with adults.
Child-initiated and directed.
Adult-initiated, shared decisions with children.
Participation
Consulted and informed
Assigned but informed
Tokenism
Decoration
Non-participation
Manipulation
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Strategically we challenge ourselves using this ladder of participation to work at the highest rungs in everything that
we do.
The Scope of Pupil Participation
It is the commitment of the Bishopton to include pupils in decision making, planning and development across a wide
scope of matters relating to teaching, learning and assessment, behaviour and safety, leadership and management,
continuous school improvement, resources, facilities and better outcomes for all. The school is also committed to
develop, support and implement community cohesion and involve pupils is local, national and global citizenship
matters.
Structures and Processes of Participation
Here at the Bishopton we continually strive to maximise opportunities for pupil participation and have therefore
developed a series of structures and processes that are evolving and developing, below are some examples*:
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School Council
Junior Leadership Team
Rights Respecting School Steering Group
Pupil led Focus Groups
Assertive Mentoring
Anti-Bullying and Restorative Justice Champions
Peer Mentoring
Film Club
Accelerated Reader Champions
School Trips and Activities Development Group
School Magazine
Fund Raising Events
Suggestion Box
*Please note that this list is not exhaustive, that we continually strive to involve pupils in every aspect of school life.
Key Roles
In order to ensure that pupil participation is taken forward and maximized in a way that is both strategic and
operational and that the pupils are included in decision-making processes as a matter of course, the Bishopton has
established the following key roles:
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Designated member of the management committee for Pupil Participation
Named member of Senior Leadership Team responsible for Pupil Participation
Designated School Lead for Pupil Groups
Head Pupil
Parent/Carer Representative
School Liaison for Pupil Participation in the community
It is important to note at this point that pupil participation is the responsibility of the whole school community and
as such is embedded into everything that we do.
Monitoring and Evaluation
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Our Pupil Participation Strategy is monitored as part of our schedule of School Improvement and School
Development Plan. Our policy is re-viewed annually, in consultation with pupils, parents and staff. Our website is
kept up to date with all the latest work we do around pupil participation in the school and wider community.
UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
The Bishopton Centre is a Rights Respecting School. Based on the principles of equality, dignity, respect, nondiscrimination and participation. It places the rights of the child at the heart of everything it does including school
policy and strategic planning. Our school community ensures that rights are learned, taught, practised, respected,
protected and promoted. There are 54 articles in the UNCRC, (for a copy of these please ask the Rights Respecting
Steering Group Chair) the following articles specifically underpin this policy:
Article:
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3
6
12
13
14
15
17
28
29
31
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Summary:
Non-discrimination
Best interests of the child
Survival, life and development
Respect for the views of the child
Freedom of expression
Freedom of thought, belief and religion
Freedom of association
Access to information
Right to education
Goals of education
Leisure, play and culture
Knowledge of rights
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