Having a Say at School. Research on Pupil Councils in Scotland

Why this project?

Having a say
The participation of children and young people in adult decision-making has shot up the policy agenda in recent years.  The UN Convention on the Rights of Child, which the Scottish Executive is committed to implementing, includes rights of participation.  In Scotland, it has become common for children and young people to be consulted on policies and services affecting them. Increasingly, this is reflected in legislation. 

Having a say at school
In 2000, Scotland led the UK in enshrining children's and young people's rights to participate within education law. The Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 requires education authorities to have regard to a pupil’s views in decisions that significantly affect that pupil in relation to his or her school education. The participation of young people in decision-making, at both classroom and whole school level, is now seen as an essential element in citizenship education. It is a key part of Education for Citizenship in Scotland, the Scottish national framework for education for citizenship for young people aged 3-18.

Pupil councils
Pupil councils have become the key structure for children and young people’s participation at school.  Yet currently, there is no systematic evidence about their effectiveness.  Are they working?  For whom?  In what ways?  Are they having a significant impact on decision-making? Who is being included or excluded? This study aims to address these questions.

The project’s objectives    What the project will do    Promoting the findings
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