Real life examples

Student Voice in Action
Derek Wise
Headteacher
Cramlington Community High
School
Northumberland, UK
What’s in a name?
• Does having a ‘School Council’ mean
that Student Voice is an important part
of school life?
• What is the purpose of a School
Council?
1
Possible purposes of a School Council
• To promote active citizenship
• To display democracy in action
• To give an insight into the democratic
process
• To help improve teaching and learning
• To provide greater engagement with the
‘community’ of the school
Possible purposes of a School Council
• To deepen understanding and provide a
platform to present students own views on
learning
• To promote the personalisation of learning
and schooling
• To promote the concept of partnership and
co-design and co-production
2
Problem of the Democracy Argument:
• How are students selected for the School
Council?
• How frequent are the meetings and what
powers has the Council?
• What topics are not up for discussion?
• What of the vast majority of students who are
not engaged with the process?
Problem of tokenism
Research shows that the most frequent
agenda items are:
–
–
–
–
Toilets
Canteens/Food
Uniform
Health and Safety/Site issues
We need to go beyond this!
3
School Leadership Group
•
•
•
•
•
Selected through application
Training
Budget
Involvement in ‘real issues’
Dedicated space
Involvement of all (1)
Year Councils
(elected)
Leadership Group
(selected via
applications and
interview)
4
Involvement for all (2)
Whole School Reflection on Well Being Days
feeds back into School Leadership Group
Involvement for all (3)
All students should be consulted both
routinely and for specific issues:
Routinely e.g.
– Teaching and Learning
– Bullying
Specific Issues/Projects e.g.
– Redesigning the School
– Redesigning Discovery Zone
5
It’s their school as well – Real Issues
•
•
•
•
Appointment of Staff
Teaching and Learning
Site Development
Future of Cramlington Town Centre
Encouraging and allowing them to
use their own initiative
– The Sixth Form Leadership Group
6
Membership of School Management
Groups
• Research & Development Team (2006/2007)
• Operational Management Team (2007/2008)
• School Development Plan Team (2007-2008)
(with the idea that there will be a section in
the Development Plan written by the School
Leadership Group)
• Associate Governor (2008/2009)
Communication and Feedback
Using all technologies:
• Tannoy
• Assemblies
• Tutor Period
• Voting Pods
• Television
• Interactive whiteboards
7
Communication and Feedback
In the future:
• Fortnightly television programme by the
‘Mayor’ and his team in years 7 and 8
(2008/2009)
• Student Voice e-mail to Senior Staff
Personalisation
•
•
•
•
Personal Learning Plans
Personal Interviews
Peer tutoring and support
Tracking own progress and deciding on
personal targets
• Peer Assessment and Self Assessment
• Choice within and between subjects
• Control over pace
8
Teaching and Learning
• Students as researchers (gender/homework
etc)
• Students judging teaching?
• Students feedback via questionnaires and
logs, and voting techniques
• Permeates everything we do:
– done with you rather than to you
– Creation of independent learners
– Making a difference
• Co-Designers and Partners
From Dependence to Independence
Dependent Learner
Learn More
Independent Learner
Learning Better
Direct & explicit instruction,
defining, explaining, directing
Metacognition Strategies
‘chunking the work’
Co-operative learning,
Group work,
collaborative learning,
learning styles,
assignment based
class inquiry learning learning, scaffolding
learning
Better Learner
Metacognition strategies
& skills
5R’s
Project based assignment,
individual inquiry &
research,
self-directed and self-paced
Learning tools (ICT, Inspiration, Reasonable, Planning Strategies, Research Skills) ….
Thinking & Learning Skills – Direct & Infusion ………………
Assessment for Learning ………………………………………
Dispositions, Attitudes, Skills (5’Rs) ………………………….
Revision & Memory …………………………………………….
9
10
Sarah McLachan – World On Fire
11
Discovery Zone
Refurbishment
Presented by…
The Year 9 Design Team
The Research
Seven Stories & Ikea
On Wednesday 10th May 2005, 13 students and 2 teachers began a
journey, their mission, should they choose to accept it – to redesign the
Discovery Zone and transform it into a fun and exciting place to learn.
Video
1
The Research (cont.)
First stop was Seven Stories book museum, a unique building both in
design and content, where we got some interesting furniture ideas for the
Discovery Zone. Already we were all coming up with ideas based on the
modern interior of Seven Stories.
The Research (cont.)
Having taken inspiration from Seven Stories, we arrived at Ikea to find some
furniture and design ideas that met our 3 criteria: stylish, affordable and
practical. At the end when we met back up, every single person in the group
had there own amazing ideas for the block and we were ready to start
designing!
2
Our Designs
Norden Benches x6
Lack Coffee Table x1
Vika Mannie Tables x2
Klippan Sofas x4
Kimme Stacking Chairs x10
Costs
Norden Benches x6 =
£ 179.40
Lack Coffee Table x1 =
£ 24.90
Vika Mannie Tables x2 =
£ 65.98
Klippan Sofas x4 =
£ 580.00
Kimme Chairs x10 =
£ 99.90
Rian side table x6 =
£ 47.94
SUB-TOTAL =
£ 998.16
3
Our Designs (Foyer Area)
Ringum Rugs x3
Lack Coffee table x1
Norden Benches x4
Costs (Foyer Area)
Norden Benches x4 =
£ 29.90
Lack Coffee Table x1 =
£ 24.90
Ringum Rugs x3 =
£ 26.97 +
SUB-TOTAL =
£ 81.77
4
WE WOULD LIKE LARGE
LETTERING IN THE
FOYER. THIS WILL
CREATE A BOLD IMPACT
ON VISITORS.
Why?
Benches – These will provide a flexible learning environment which can be
moved by pupils or teachers depending on the activity they are doing.
Sofas – These will provide a comfortable place for pupils and teachers to
relax whilst doing work and talking to new people.
Stackable Chairs – These can also be moved to suit the needs of the
people using them and can be easily put away and stored in a relatively
small space.
5
Why?
Coffee Tables – These could have school magazines, newspapers or
prospectuses for visitors to these school to read and can also be used as a
work surface.
Tables – These will provide an interesting area for students and teachers
alike and create a ‘Blurred Space’ where different groups of people can work
together.
Extra
Wireless internet access
£47.56
Water cooler
£397
Cup dispenser
£12
Cups per term
£100
Cushions
£100
TOTAL =
£950.18
£ 81.77 +
£544.68
£1688.51
6
Walk through of
Discovery zone
7