Belfast Model School

For Girls

Student Voice

• Part of Personalising Learning agenda

• Meet needs of pupils in 21st Century

• Collaborative partnerships

• Learning and Teaching at centre

Learning and Teaching

Challenge is to:-• Engage those who are disenchanted• Make more effective learners• Broaden base of achievement• Create independent learners• Encourage student leadership• Meet MORE of the educational needs of

MORE of the students MORE of the time

9 Gateways of Learning

• Work of David Hargreaves

• Drawn up by a group of practising principals

• Most important gateway was considered to be Student Voice

• Later refined into 4 Deeps with Student Voice part of Deep Learning

Long-Term

• Over next 3/5 Years work towards what was considered the most powerful aspect of Personalised Learning –Student Voice

Engagement of students and staff with learning Take responsibility for own learning and behaviour Independence in, and control over, ones learning Confidence in oneself as a learner Maturity in staff/student relationships Co-construction of design and delivery of education –

learning, teaching, curriculum, assessment.

Student Voice is a crucial link between Co-construction and Engagement

We have to ask ourselves

• What makes a good lesson when students want to engage?

• How would students make the lesson better?• Should students be involved in governance, school

development planning, interviewing of staff, observing lessons, researching issues?

• Move slowly, build trust and relationships but must move as this is the future.

Student Voice Leadership

Team

Student Voice/Student

Council Year 8 & 9

Year 10 - 14

All other Reps from Extra Curricular Activities

Peer Mediators

Student Researchers

Student Interviewers

Behaviour Improvement Council

(2009-10)

Students as Learning Partners

Games Officials/Sports Reps

The Story so far• Peer Mediators- Year 11 Pupils working with Year 8 pupils,

trained in mediation skills undertaking audit of transition period

• Student Researchers- Form Class based; researching Bullying, Child Protection, Make-Up Code & Road Safety

• Student Interviewers- Major input into SV posts and Pre-briefing discussions with prospective staff members

• Learning Partners- Trained by SSAT trainer financed through Big Deal, Feedback on Learning in lessons and Co-constructors of Learning (8 Staff Volunteers)

• Extra-Curricular Reps- All connected with SV Leadership Team, involved with YouthBank Team

Next Steps

• Learning Partner Input into Learning

• Behaviour Improvement Panel

• Extra-Curricular Programme Consultation

• SV Leadership Team input into Staff INSET days in August 2008, Pastoral and Curriculum Teams, SLT and Board of Governor meetings

• Assistant Co-ordinator of SV starts post

Student Leadership part of School Leadership