Pupil Voice

At St Michael’s we value ideas and input from pupils on a range of important issues to make the school environment more stimulating, safe and enjoyable for all. Listening to the “pupil voice” is therefore a priority for each class as well as at a whole school level.

Pupils can share their ideas and views through the School Council, debating club, during feedback of lesson classroom observations and also with the appointment of some staff by participating on the interview panel. We also have UNICEF Ambassadors, who represent the school at the annual Model United Nations General Assembly at Wandsworth Town Hall, and Eco Warriors.

Another strand of pupil voice is through acting as ‘Ambassadors’ at school, taking visitors around, sharing their views on the school and how it is run, as well as participating in presentations to delegates who visit our school.

How Our Pupils Make a Difference

The video clip link below gives a pupil voice overview of how they feel they make a difference in our school with their ideas, views and actions. It was created as a result of discussions held with pupils as part of pupil voice and the school wanting to create a long standing celebration which we could share with the wider school community. We are extremely proud of their views.

Vote for Schools Initiative: Giving Young People the Power to Change the World

Votes for Schools provides weekly resources for teachers in the UK to promote discussion on a challenging current issue. Pupils vote and comment and we ensure that their voices are heard and have an impact. Vote for Schools is underpinned by three key values: Be Informed. Be Curious. Be Heard. Please refer to the link below for further information.

Unicef Ambassadors

Our Unicef Ambassadors met to discuss the 42 Children's rights laid out by the UNCRC. The group looked at the 42 articles and selected one to discuss in greater detail. We wanted to analyse how the adults (duty bearers) protect their rights in school.

Here are their views:

in our school everyone is accepted in clubs and teams
we are not sexist. Everyone is equal
we learn about different religions and beliefs in school
learn about diversity in PSHE
we all have the right to an identity
we aren't bias towards different cultures
we value opinions and our voices are heard in school council and through the listening post
we have a lift in school for people with physical disabilities
appearances or genders don't matter
we celebrated international women's day
we aren't biased towards people with wealth or little wealth

The Ambassadors have selected the right to go in the newsletter every two weeks and for the pupils to begin to think about how the adults in school (duty bearers) protect the children (rights holders). Please refer to our Weekly Web Update here.

NSPCC Speak Out, Stay Safe Pupil Voice Assembly

In October 2021, the PSHE Faculty Lead led a pupil voice assembly entitled: NSPCC Speak Out, Stay Safe Pupil Voice Assembly. Below is an overview of their feedback to the question: Who could you talk to in school if you feel upset about something?

NSPCC Speak Out, Stay Safe Pupil Voice

One Page Pupil Profiles

Children who have a special educational need or disability have the opportunity to share their strengths, needs and aspirations with their new teachers, support staff and Inclusion Team each year. The form is completed by an adult through discussions with the child where they can express themselves through drawing, speaking or playing. This introduces them to their new teacher and any support staff that will be working with them. Along with information about their additional needs this document holds information about their likes, dislikes and how they feel the teacher can help them. We also ask parents to share their aspirations and what they would like the new teacher to know.

Pupil Safeguarding Challenge

As part of our responsibility to safeguard those in our school community we also believe that it is important to educate the children and make them aware of how to keep safe as well as ensure that they know they are safe when in our care. Each term we hold a special keeping safe assembly where we talk about specific safety points. We also deliver a whole school focused PSHE lesson where teachers talk about safety in and around our school and the community. Finally, as part of the quality assurance procedures we have in place, the Phase Leaders carry out a monthly targeted ‘Safeguarding Challenge’ question to pupils to see if they are able to demonstrate feeling safe and have a developing understanding of the important procedures we have in place to keep them safe.

Please see below the Safeguarding Challenge questions to pupils.

“St. Michael’s Church of England School, established upon Christian foundations and living out the Christian faith, is committed to providing every child with an excellent education.”