Last term, years' 1-6 were involved in a Pupil Voice morning.  This is a special morning which is organised every year to provide forums and opportunities for children to speak honestly about school life.  The children are split up into mixed age groups and allocated to a class teacher to discuss a specific topic. 

Topics include different curriculum subjects areas as well as other school systems and topics including lunchtimes, Collective Worship, SEND and behaviour.  The children's responses are then recorded and evaluated to help identify ways of improving learning and whole school experiences for all children.

After evaluating this year's responses, it was really pleasing to see just how aware the children were of themselves and their needs, and what was happening around them.  They also expressed a desire for more opportunities to develop their independence through time, space and activity.  Pleasingly, they were very appreciative of all the support given to them by class teachers in lessons and other members of staff around school.  Below is a summary of the responses made:

• The children were appreciative of rewards systems, of the praise given by staff and of how polite staff were too.
• They recognised that staff used a variety of ways of feeding back to the children on their learning, both verbally and visually.
• The children could tell when a teacher enjoyed a subject they were teaching.
• Children felt there was a great deal of respect between pupils in class.
• Children liked calm environments and the use of music to maintain this.
• Children could recall memorable events and lessons easily.
• Children were aware of the differences between the mornings and afternoons at school.
• Children recognise challenges in learning and are aware of times when there is low level disruption.
• There is a desire for more time and space to develop their own independence.
• They’re aware that more guidance is needed when having constructive partner talk so that participants stay on task.
• Of all the values, the children feel that respect needs to be modelled more often so that they’re aware of all the forms of respect.
• The children demonstrated awareness of systems, strategies and routines implemented to support learning and independence.  
• Children value individuals and communities being reflected in our curriculum offer and have asked this to happen more.  
• There is genuine enjoyment of learning about the lives, beliefs and cultural traditions of others.

The staff have already been given time to reflect on and explore the themes contained within the responses given by the children and will continuously look for ways to provide those opportunities which the children have asked for. 

Well done to all of the children who took part.  Your thoughts, opinions and ideas reflected the growing maturity of all our learners here at Greswold.