New
New
Year 9

How can we contribute to school decision-making?

I can explain why pupil voice matters and how we can influence decision-makers.

New
New
Year 9

How can we contribute to school decision-making?

I can explain why pupil voice matters and how we can influence decision-makers.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Article 12 of the UNCRC grants children the right to express their views on matters affecting them.
  2. Pupil voice contributes to enhanced school climate, behaviour and wellbeing.
  3. Decision-makers include individuals or bodies with authority to implement change in education settings.
  4. Influencing change involves identifying a need, gathering evidence, cause and effect, planning and taking action.
  5. An active citizen engages constructively in school and community decision-making processes.

Keywords

  • Pupil voice - the views, opinions and ideas of pupils about their school experience, which are listened to and considered in decision-making

  • Decision-makers - people or groups who have the authority to make lasting change in communities

  • Active citizens - a person who actively takes responsibility, becomes involved in areas of public concern and tries to make a positive difference in their community

Common misconception

Young people cannot make a difference because adults are the decision-makers.

Young people can make a difference. Article 12 of the UNCRC says children have the right to be heard in decisions that affect them. For example, Martha Payne was only nine years old when she helped change school meals by sharing her views.


To help you plan your year 9 citizenship lesson on: How can we contribute to school decision-making?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Keep reminding pupils that democracy is not just about voting at 18. It is about being involved in the issues that affect them now, including school life. Refer back to Article 12 of the UNCRC throughout and if scope, design an activity that could put pupil voice into action.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the person with what type of action they are achieving.
Correct Answer:a pupil writing to their local council,inspiring action

inspiring action

Correct Answer:a group cleaning up a local park,taking action

taking action

Correct Answer:a person ignoring litter on the street,taking no action

taking no action

Q2.
When someone talks about sustainability, they often include ....
Correct answer: the environment
trade
finance
defence
Q3.
The Act 2010 was created for many reasons, including to prevent prejudice and discrimination.
Correct Answer: Equality
Q4.
Order this sentence about the UK Government.
1 - The UK
2 - Government
3 - is divided
4 - into three
5 - parts: the executive,
6 - the legislative
7 - and the judiciary.
Q5.
The UNCRC stands for the United Nations Convention on the of the Child.
Correct Answer: Rights
Q6.
Why does community cohesion help lasting change to happen?
people work separately and therefore faster
people work together but argue a lot of the time
Correct answer: people can work together toward shared goals
people can work together but not achieve much

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word with its definition.
Correct Answer:pupil voice,the views, opinions and ideas of pupils in school decision-making

the views, opinions and ideas of pupils in school decision-making

Correct Answer:decision-makers,people or groups who have the authority to make lasting change

people or groups who have the authority to make lasting change

Correct Answer:active citizen,a person who tries to make a difference through positive action

a person who tries to make a difference through positive action

Q2.
Article of the UNCRC says that children have the right to express their views in matters affecting them.
Correct Answer: 12
Q3.
What can pupil voice help to improve?
Correct answer: school behaviour
shop discounts
mobile phone branding
school budget
Q4.
To make change, young people must first identify a ...
Correct Answer: need
Q5.
Which statement is most accurate?
only adults can make real decisions and create change
young people can’t influence anything until they are 18
Correct answer: young people can influence decisions by taking action
pupil voice only matters in lessons to teachers in schools
Q6.
You need to become an citizen to make your voice heard.
Correct Answer: active