Students with a genuine voice in schools are five times more likely to meaningfully engage in their learning, according to the Quaglia Institue.
Their research also found that students who felt their voices were heard are three times more likely to experience self worth in school and five times more likely to have a sense of purpose.
When children’s views inform the decisions being made around them, they feel heard. By enabling professionals to work collaboratively and maintain a shared understanding of a child’s needs, ECINS helps ensure that student perspectives can be embedded within support planning and ongoing interventions.
Championing student voice nourishes a child and improves their wellbeing as well as motivation and academic performance.
Whilst this does involve asking children and young people for their opinions, the wider emphasis should be on creating opportunities for students to share their perspectives, contribute to decisions that affect them and feel assured that their voices matter. This is what it means to champion student voice.
Here are five simple ways to elevate student voice:
1. Create Safe Spaces for Open Conversation
Students are more likely to share their thoughts and feelings when they feel safe and free from judgement. Creating opportunities for open dialogue, such as one-to-one conversations, group discussions or informal check-ins, can help students build trust and confidence in expressing themselves and their thoughts.
The key is to listen with curiosity and empathy to ensure that every child feels their perspective is valued.
2. Ask for Feedback and Act on It
Seeking student feedback is an important first step. But acting on that feedback? That truly demonstrates that their voice matters. Whenever possible, ask students about support plans, wellbeing initiatives or school-based activities so that they feel involved in these decisions.
Even small changes inspired by student input can reinforce the message that their contributions are meaningful.
3. Encourage Reflection and Goal Setting
Encouraging students to think about what they have achieved this academic year, what challenges they have overcome and what they hope to accomplish next can help strengthen self-awareness and confidence.
Supporting students to set personal goals also helps them take ownership of their growth and development. Use our goal-setting worksheet to guide you: https://ecins.com/us/resources/student-goal-setting-worksheet.
4. Support Self-Advocacy Skills
Self-advocacy is an essential life skill that empowers young people to communicate their needs and seek support when necessary.
School professionals can help students develop these skills, encouraging them to express their preferences, participate in decision-making and identify strategies that work best for them.
5. Celebrate Individual Perspectives
Every student brings unique experiences and ideas. So why not celebrate that? Creating inclusive environments where diverse perspectives are welcomed and respected helps students develop a stronger sense of belonging.
Recognizing and celebrating all student contributions can boost confidence and encourage continued participation.
The Lasting Impact of Student Voice
Championing student voice involves ensuring they have a meaningful role in conversations that affect their lives. When children and young people feel heard, they are more likely to engage, advocate for themselves and develop the confidence needed to navigate future challenges.
Creating opportunities for students to share their voices is an important step towards more inclusive support for every child. However, listening is only the beginning. When student perspectives are captured, shared appropriately and used to inform support planning, their voices can help shape meaningful outcomes. By recording student voice and using it to coordinate support, professionals can ensure that children remain active participants in decisions that affect their lives.