The amendment will put a legal responsibility on schools to “invite and consider pupils’ views”. Guidelines, which have yet to be drawn up, are expected to include consulting students on a wide variety of issues, not just on cosmetic changes.



Rajeeb Dey, Founder of the English Secondary Students’ Association (ESSA)[1], said: “this amendment is an important first step in recognising students as the end-users of education and their ability to co-create the education they receive. Having a voice in education is enshrined in Article 12 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child and it is crucial that we move beyond merely seeking students’ views on toilets and meals to discussing wider issues such as their experiences of teaching and learning.”

Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “Whilst schools might have legitimate concerns about yet another duty being thrust upon them, a key attribute of a successful school is participation by pupils in the life of the school. Of course very many schools already have systems in place which allow just that. I do, however, welcome these amendments and look forward to contributing to the promised consultation on how best the regulations can be brought into effect”.

Independent research[2] shows that engaging young people in active decision-making within education is an effective way of counteracting pupil disillusionment and underachievement while also improving relationships between teachers and students. ESSA is keen to work in partnerships with other stakeholders in education, including teachers, parents and governors, and seeks to use students’ views to improve the education experience for all.

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[1] The English Secondary Students’ Association (ESSA) is a representative body for secondary school students in England. Launched in 2005 at the Trade Unions Congress, ESSA follows the example of its European counterparts who have celebrated great success in recent years, gaining influence and respect. ESSA’s decisions are made by a National Council of students aged 11-19, who are elected democratically by our members. ESSA is a member of OBESSU (The Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions) and works closely with schools, unions, charities and individuals to ensure greater student participation and consultation.

[2] Independent research commissioned by the Carnegie UK Trust resulting in the publication ‘Inspiring Schools’ shows that ‘students in more democratic schools were happier and felt more in control of their learning; skills in specific curriculum areas such as citizenship improved, as well as in other curriculum areas and behaviour was improved.