Pupil Voice & Pupil Parliament

Pupil Voice

At Coppice School we believe that harnessing our pupils' voices allows us to look through windows into their worlds. As our pupils’ express their voices in a multitude of different ways our staff team undertake various communication training throughout the year including Makaton, PECs and intensive interaction. Our Happy Centred School curriculum allowed pupils to build their self-esteem and resilience so they can become as confident as possible in using their voices.

Our No Limits curriculum is based around pupil interests and aspirations. Their expressions of happiness and curiosity are the foundations blocks which help our teachers plan and delivery bespoke learning activities and develop engaging learning environments.

As part of our curriculum pupils learn about the UK parliament and the power of using their voice to make and ask for change, skills which will help them play a meaningful role in society when they reach adulthood. Each year we relaunch our pupil parliament during parliament week and each class is able to nominate a representative to become a school MP. The Coppice School Parliament works with each school across the Nexus Multi Academy Trust to suggest new enrichment activities and to voice their views on their school. During Parliament Week we worked with our pupils to create the ‘Coppice School Bucket List’. This list is packed full of activities our whole school community believe pupils are entitled to experience before leaving Coppice School; from eating an ice-cream at the seaside to an overnight camp out. Each area in school has its own list and throughout their time at Coppice pupils will begin ticking off experiences on their bucket list so their school journey is packed full of fun filled memories.

The shared belief in the importance of pupil voice at Coppice School ensures that by listening to each pupil we, as a whole school community, are listening to the view, wishes and experiences of all our children and young people.

Pupil Parliament

At Coppice School Pupil Parliament is like the government. It is made up of different ministers. Each of the ministers helps to improve Coppice School.

Pupil Parliament promotes pupil leadership opportunities. Enabling our young people to develop communication, organisation and other skills, through key roles of responsibility and new experiences.

It allows young people to be actively involved in the way that the school is run.

Pupil Parliament benefits the whole school, other pupils and teachers because it provides opportunities for our young people to communicate their opinions and influence the decisions that are made on their behalf.

Our young people relish the opportunity to become a greater part of school life and enjoy making their voices heard.

Aims of our Pupil Parliament:

· Represent all pupils and include a fair representation of the school.

· Take time to listen to all pupils and communicate their needs.

· Feedback to pupils about what happened about their views.

· Action decisions that have been made or explain why they can’t happen.

Our Pupil Parliament minister roles are:

· Communication & Independence Minister

· Provision & Resources Minister

· Environments Minister

· Displays Minister

· Social Time Minister