Students

 Student Voice 

Children and young people have a right to” have a voice in matters which affect them and their views will be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity” (Article 12 UNCRC)

Students of Deansrath Community College have a right to speak out and be heard on all matters affecting their education. Staff have a duty not just to listen but to give due weight to the views expressed.

As participation is a human right, it does not have to be justified, but a growing body of research evidences indicated the many and varied benefits to students and schools.

On a national level the NCCA, JCT and the Department of Education have been consulting with students on the reforms that are taking place across the educational landscape. In Deansrath Community College we encourage the Student Voice to play an active role in many of the day to day issues that arise in the school. On the most basic level the Student Voice is engaged in the classroom in discussing the topics they are learning. 

Outside of the classroom the Student Voice is encouraged ‘to have a say’ and an input in to issues that affect them as integral members of the school community. The Student Council plays an essential role in this. Council members are elected by their classmates to represent them, who in turn voice their opinions, issues and concerns to teachers and school management.  This dialogue empowers the students allowing them to truly have a voice informing the direction and development of their second level educational experience. Through the years, members of the Students’ Council have been involved in activities such as, open evenings, policy review and development, fundraising and outreach activities.

This year we are focusing on the Lundy model for participation. For children’s rights to be realized they need to be offered safe opportunities to express their views (Space) be facilitated to do so in a safe manner (voice) they must be listened to (audience) and their views must be acted upon as appropriate. (influence)

Student voice encourages engagement and collaboration. We realize that from the youngest to the oldest member of the school community that we are all learners, and by encouraging student voice we will enable school improvement.