Guest Author: Daniel Wilsher
This is the second article of a three-part blog series focusing on the importance of student voice in safeguarding and supporting the wellbeing of children.
Just over a year ago I was invited to deliver some public speaking talks for students at St Michael’s Church of England High School in Sandwell. It was my first time down at the school and quite frankly, I was blown away. It was evident that the term ‘student voice’ wasn’t just a buzzword for this school, but a powerful tool in creating massive impact and influence for their eco-system.
Since the launch of its Student Voice programme in 2012, the school has redefined how pupils can shape their own educational experience and influence the wider community with student engagement programmes.
Encouraging Diverse Student Voices
Rather than limiting leadership roles to a select few, the school invites around 100 students from all year groups and backgrounds to participate resulting in a diverse range of individuals. It was great to see the collaboration between students from all ages and walks of life too.
I sat down with pupils in their designated student voice room and these brilliant young minds shared stories about the projects they’d been involved in from organising charity events to supporting mental health campaigns and running transition programmes for incoming Year 6 pupils, and even partnering with their local radio station to deliver a programme on air!
These efforts are driven by student-led planning and execution and the support of their incredible lead Kerry Whitehouse who manages the operations of the student voice team. Their time and energy, often given outside of school hours, speaks to the strong sense of ownership and commitment they feel.
They’ve created projects like the “21st Century Child” campaign, which focuses on addressing modern challenges like digital safety, emotional well-being and youth crime. Designed and delivered in partnership with local services including the police and health providers, the programme brings students and families together to tackle issues head-on. It’s a model that has proven so effective, it’s been replicated across other schools in the local authority.
The Positive Impact of Student Engagement Programs
This student involvement in school governance and community outreach has not gone unnoticed. St Michael’s students have collectively raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities and the group has earned accolades such as the King’s Award for Voluntary Service which in turn has given the students experiences and accolades that they’ll carry with them for a lifetime no doubt.
But the most important thing is that this approach fosters a school culture grounded in respect, responsibility and collective care. Student representatives frequently collaborate with school leaders and governors, contributing to real decision-making processes. They don’t just voice concerns, they help shape solutions, promoting a culture of accountability while nurturing key life skills like communication, leadership and empathy and getting to have some fun in the process.
The school has shown that when students are trusted, supported and empowered, they rise to the occasion, not just improving their school, but strengthening the entire community around it. I would advise anyone to reading this to go and have a look at their website!
How Safeguarding Software Can Enhance Pupil Wellbeing
With CPOMS StudentSafe education settings can actively monitor the wellbeing of every student in their setting in one secure system. This incorporates more than serious safeguarding concerns, such as spotting signs of abuse, but providing a tool through which to monitor the pastoral welfare of children and young people for a holistic approach to safeguarding.
StudentSafe supports several integrations with leading student voice and wellbeing platforms, including BounceTogether, Komodo Welbeing, STEER tracking and youHQ. These seamless connections allow safeguarding and wellbeing practitioners enhance their monitoring of every student’s wellbeing and connect the dots to any more serious concerns, all in one system.
To learn more about how CPOMS solutions like StudentSafe can support your settings’ wellbeing programs, book a free demo today.
