Creating a culture where children and young people are listened to, involved and able to influence decisions helps ensure that school approaches reflect what matters to pupils and respond to their needs.
Meaningful pupil voice goes beyond simply asking children and young people what they think. It gives them opportunities to express their views, contribute
to decision-making and take an active role in creating positive change. This helps build confidence, develop leadership skills and create a stronger sense of ownership, belonging and shared responsibility.
Living Well Schools, Bradford can support schools to strengthen pupil voice and influence, helping them gather meaningful pupil insights and use them to inform
priorities, policies and practice. By involving pupils throughout the process, from identifying what matters to developing and reviewing actions, schools can create approaches that are relevant, inclusive and responsive to their school community.
Giving pupils a meaningful role in shaping school life can also help schools develop a culture where children and young people recognise that their voice matters and can make a difference.
Looking for inclusive activities and ideas for Pupil Voice?
Each half term,
BradStarz, Bradford's Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) Youth Forum, works with local services to choose a
Hot Topic that they would like to hear other children and young people talk about. They then create and share quick, easy-to-use activities for schools and settings to take part in.
These activities are primarily aimed at school councils, but welcomes responses from any group or setting working with children and young people with SEND across the Bradford District.
Taking part gives children and young people the opportunity to share their views beyond the school walls, helping to influence services, shape decision-making, and ensure their voices are heard.
Get involved, visit: Bradford Local Offer | Student Voice SEND Hot Topics