Empowering Student Voices at Charters School

This morning, students from all year groups came together for this term’s School Council meeting, a lively and insightful discussion led by our Senior Student Leadership Team and one of our Deputy Headteachers. With two representatives from each Year Group Council, the meeting provided a valuable opportunity for students to engage in meaningful conversations about key topics that affect them daily.

One of the central themes of this term’s meeting was successful revision strategies. The discussion revealed fascinating insights into how different year groups perceive revision. Younger students expressed a desire for more interactive revision sessions to make learning engaging, while older students emphasised the importance of targeted revision sessions before key assessments. Sixth Form students highlighted the value of independent study and mastering past exam questions, recognising the importance of self-directed learning as they prepare for their next steps.

The second topic of discussion was the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on education. The students' perspectives varied widely across year groups, reflecting a generational shift in understanding and concerns. Our younger students in Years 7 and 8 voiced worries about AI taking over the world, while Years 10 and 11 were more focused on the potential for AI to encourage laziness and diminish creativity. Sixth Form students, on the other hand, saw AI as a useful tool for structuring research and improving revision techniques - provided it was used wisely. All students agreed that an external speaker could provide valuable insights into the uses and ethical considerations of AI.

As the discussion drew to a close, a consensus was reached: AI has potential benefits across many subjects, but when it comes to Art, students unanimously felt that AI-generated images lacked the creative essence that makes art truly special.

The School Council plays a crucial role in ensuring student feedback leads to meaningful action. Following each meeting, the insights and suggestions gathered are presented to the Senior Leadership Team and actions are fed back to all students through their Sixth Form Student Leadership Team.

Deputy Headteacher, Mr Stephenson, said, "The School Council is a vital platform for student voice, allowing representatives from Year 7 to Year 13 to share their ideas and influence positive change. Today’s meeting was a fantastic example of student leadership in action - our students spoke with confidence, shared thoughtful insights, and engaged in meaningful discussions. It’s inspiring to see them take such pride in shaping their school experience."