Student Council and Student Voice 2026-2027

Core purpose

• Give pupils a structured, democratic voice in matters affecting their school life — from uniform and facilities to teaching/learning and wellbeing policies.

• Act as a channel between the student body, school management, and the board, rather than a purely social or event-organising committee.

Typical activities

• Electing class/year representatives and officers (chair, secretary, etc.) annually.

• Consultation on school policies (code of behaviour, anti-bullying, SPHE/wellbeing initiatives, uniform, canteen/facilities.

• Organising charity, environmental , cultural, wellbeing and student-led events. e.g Sports Day, Multicultural extravaganza etc.

• Feeding into whole-school self-evaluation (SSE) and inspections — inspectors routinely meet with student councils to gauge the quality of student voice and participation in school improvement.

  At SHSS the student council and student voice groups are active, well-supported councils with a staff liaison teacher and regular, minuted meetings.

  There is a clear communication loop back to the wider student body (noticeboards, year-group reps, assemblies).

  The student groups are consulted meaningfully on policy and school procedures and on important decisions affecting the school..

  In addition there is a linkage to broader "student voice" mechanisms — pupil surveys, focus groups, wellbeing/SPHE feedback etc.

Why it matters for Sacred Heart

• Strong student council/voice practice supports wellbeing, behaviour, and SSE evidence, and is something inspectors will look for as a marker of a positive school climate.