At Marchwood Junior School, we have had an active School Council for many years.

Over the years the representatives have made many things happen in our school, including interviewing new members of staff and organizing a design competition after deciding we needed a Friendship Bench for our playground.  

We wanted to give all children the opportunity to have their say and for them to have an impact across the whole of school life. 

This year, we have introduced Our Pupil Voice Meetings, as a way of achieving these aims.

Our Friendship Bench

Designer Georgia Hill and Mr. Ivor Fountain who carved Georgia’s design

Pupil Voice is about pupils having a genuine influence on decision-making.  In our school, ‘Every Child Matters’ and our pupils contribute to the five outcomes of Being Healthy, Staying Safe, Enjoying and Achieving, Making a Positive Contribution as well as Achieving Economic Well-being. 

Through our Pupil Voice system, they are able to give their views and make decisions about aspects in all of these areas to contribute to our school community in a positive and responsible way.

Although there are representatives from each class who are invited to be a part of our meetings, any member of the school can come along and voice their opinions, too. 

The focus for a meeting along with date, time and place are advertised on our Pupil Voice Notice Board as well as in assembly.  Children can then decide if they would like to contribute their ideas.

Meetings are not held on a regular basis, but as and when the need arises. 

So far our discussions have included:

Deciding what to do for Children In Need fund-raising

Discussing the International Primary Curriculum – with visiting teachers from a Bournemouth school attending.

Rewards and Sanctions for behaviour in our school.

For the future, we want the pupils to become more directly involved in all aspects of school improvement, by initiating meetings, setting the agendas, leading the meetings and reporting back to the whole school through our Pupil Voice Notice Board, our School Website and WizKid, in assemblies, during class Circle Time and to other staff, Parents and Governors.

Marchwood Junior School is always looking for ways in which the children can become more active citizens who get involved, take control and make a difference. 

We feel the Pupil Voice is an excellent vehicle for this.

If parents or children want to find out more about MJS’ Pupil Voice, look at the Pupil Voice Notice Board, ask a Pupil Voice Representative or speak to Mr. Chappell or Mrs. Denison.