Putting Pupils in The Driving Seat: Practical ways to develop pupil voice, participation and leadership

Course introduction

This pupil voice, participation and leadership training course will focus on how to transform your school into a pupil led learning organisation. The day will look at including the voice of pupils into your school’s policy and decision-making process to achieve wide-ranging benefits, such as improved academic attainment, reduced exclusions, improved attendance/behaviour and a more positive relationships across the school community. This course will give you practical pedagogical approaches underpinned by sound theoretical principles as well as the opportunity to reflect on current pupil voice activities within your own school.

What we will cover throughout the day

• Establish a shared understanding of pupil voice, participation and leadership;

• Look at ways to build the foundations for embedding pupil voice within your school;

• Understand how to promote participation to improve outcomes;

• Understand how to involve pupils in policy making;

• Learn how to use pupil participation groups to monitor classroom learning;

• Implement an inclusive and effective approach;

• Look at practical ways to involve pupils in effective self-evaluation and school development planning;

• Look at ways to ensure work is inclusive, collaborative and enhancing;

• Consider the ways that pupil voice can be utilised and how to interpret feedback;

• Learn the core skills for evaluation and effective feedback;

• Develop strategies to support pupils in contributing to:

• – the improvement of learning and teaching

• – the reduction in exclusions

• – school attendance

• – mental health & wellbeing

• – developing resilience

Target audience

Aimed at anyone who works in primary and/or secondary schools and who want to develop pupil voice, participation and leadership. Ideal for school-based staff including head teachers, assistant heads, teachers, deputy headteacher, SENCo/ALNCo, special education teacher, school support staff, classroom assistant, teaching assistant, pastoral care staff, governors and pastoral lead teacher.

Trainers for this course

Nina Jackson

Nina Jackson is someone who sees the bigger picture and, throughout a long and varied career, has been driven to bring the best out of all children regardless of the issues, challenges an...d special needs they bring to her classroom. Nina brings to her lessons not only high levels of creativity, innovation and professional rigour but also contagious passion which proves to be a winning formula wherever she works. Apart from her work in teaching, learning, thinking skills and technology for learning, her background in special needs and music has led her to devise specialist therapy programmes for schools. Nina also successfully supports mainstream teachers working with children with anger management issues, disaffection, poor motivation, behaviour and confidence.

Up until very recently, Nina was a director of learning in addition to directing a ‘more able and talented’ programme at a successful comprehensive in South Wales. Since these roles, Nina has developed an impressive career in teacher training in the UK and abroad. She has collaborated with Swansea Metropolitan University where she is a lecturer on the MA (Ed) programme, a senior professional tutor (ITET) and has supported the SARA (Schools Action Research Approach) project for the Education Support and Inspection Service in Wales. In 2004, Nina was the winner of the IPDA International Prize for Education and was described in the Times Educational Supplement as an “inspirational, evangelical preacher of education”. She is currently working on her second book – ‘Access All Areas’ – which focuses on helping schools ensure that all children have access to the full extent of what the curriculum has to offer.Read more

See what others have to say about us

It has given me an insight of what outstanding pupil participation is and the steps involved to get there. Very worthwhile training!

Evaluated our current strategies and gave us a focus for improvement. Channelled our energy with a new framework and curriculum with the children as the main focus.

About the venue

Stay at home, get comfortable and enjoy our live interactive course via Zoom! You’ll receive the link a few days before the course date so you can get prepared (and excited) ahead of time.

Handy course logistics

• The course will run via Zoom from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm, however, the trainer will be available 15 minutes before and after the course times to answer any questions.
• You’ll receive mid-morning, lunch and afternoon breaks to re-energise.
• This course is designed to be interactive and inclusive. We welcome questions and discussions throughout and we want you to be comfortable and stress-free no matter where you join us from!
• Your course pack includes handouts, an M&S voucher for food, a snack, a pen and a notepad – we’ll send this to you before the day. Please note this is only for UK-based participants, international attendees will receive the pack via email.
• Additional links and information will be emailed to you before and during the course.
• This course is also available as an in-house / INSET training session at your school. Contact us for details.
• Please note – the cost is per person