Pupil Voice
At the Anglo-Portuguese School of London, we believe that every child has the right to be heard.
We want our pupils to feel confident expressing their ideas, sharing their views and contributing to decisions that affect their lives. Pupil voice is an important part of our school culture and reflects our commitment to creating a respectful, inclusive community in which children feel valued.
Our approach is inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the principles of the UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools Award. The Award places children's rights at the heart of school life and promotes equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination and participation.
School Council
Our School Council gives pupils a formal platform through which they can influence school life.
Representatives listen to the views and ideas of their classmates and bring these to Council meetings. They work collaboratively with other pupils and staff to explore suggestions, discuss issues and identify ways in which our school can continue to improve.
School Council representatives:
- Listen carefully to the views of their classmates.
- Share ideas, suggestions and concerns respectfully.
- Represent their class fairly and responsibly.
- Take part in regular School Council meetings.
- Discuss issues that affect pupils and school life.
- Suggest and help develop improvements.
- Work with staff and pupils to put ideas into action.
- Communicate outcomes and decisions back to their classes.
- Help promote kindness, inclusion, respect and positive relationships.
- Reflect on the impact of Council projects and suggest further improvements.
Being a School Council representative is an opportunity to develop leadership, communication, collaboration, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Eco Council
Our Eco Council gives pupils a voice in creating a more sustainable school and developing their understanding of environmental responsibility.
The Eco Council encourages children to think about the impact of our everyday choices and to take practical action to care for our school, our local community and the wider world.
Eco Council representatives:
- Listen to pupils' environmental ideas and concerns.
- Raise awareness of sustainability across the school.
- Identify opportunities to reduce waste.
- Encourage recycling and responsible use of resources.
- Promote saving energy and water.
- Help care for our school grounds and outdoor spaces.
- Encourage respect for nature and biodiversity.
- Support environmental projects and campaigns.
- Work with staff and pupils to develop practical solutions.
- Share ideas and progress with their classes.
- Inspire others to make positive environmental choices.
Through the Eco Council, pupils learn that they can be active citizens and agents of positive change.
Giving Every Child a Voice
We recognise that children express themselves in different ways. Pupil voice therefore happens in many forms, including:
- School and Eco Council meetings
- Class discussions and assemblies
- Pupil questionnaires and surveys
- Suggestion boxes
- Discussions with teachers and trusted adults
- Feedback on school activities and experiences
- Collaborative projects and initiatives
- Opportunities to contribute to school events and decisions
We aim to ensure that participation is inclusive, meaningful, safe and respectful, so that every child has opportunities to contribute in ways that are appropriate to their age and stage of development.
Young People Making a Difference
Through our pupil voice structures, children learn that they are not simply recipients of decisions made by adults. They are active members of our school community.
They learn to listen to different perspectives, speak with confidence, compromise where necessary, take responsibility and turn ideas into action.
These experiences help our pupils develop the confidence and skills to become thoughtful, responsible and active citizens — both within our school and beyond it.
Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. You can make a difference.
At the Anglo-Portuguese School of London, we are committed to ensuring that children are heard, respected, included and empowered to play an active role in shaping their school community.
Here are some examples of the impact Pupil voice has had this year:
- School meals (Kidz Clean Kitchen) includes children's favourites as a result of feedback and survey
- Design and production of the school games kit
- Toy sale (pre-loved)
