1. Section 1: Introduction
  2. Section 2: Why set up a student commission on learning?
  3. Section 3: Early planning
  4. Section 4: Getting the foundations right - engagement, energy and expectations
  5. Section 5: Implementation - the four key design features of a commission
  6. Section 6: Thinking ahead - phase 2 of your student commission

Section 2: Why set up a student commission on learning?

A student commission is an effective response for any school or group of schools looking to create a widespread shift in motivation, engagement and partnership between all students and staff. A student commission goes beyond a basic commitment to student voice and the involvement of students in school decision-making (e.g. student councils). Valuable as they are, these approaches rarely impact on what really counts. They can keep students at the periphery rather than enabling them to take responsibility for and make a difference to learning and how it is designed and delivered.

A student commission, in contrast, provides an opportunity to elevate students to ‘leaders of learning’, who work in partnership with teachers to develop and share their expertise over a sustained period. They are specifically commissioned by leaders to discover how learning can be improved. Critically, leaders commit to implementing changes the commission recommends.

Whether your school is embarking on student engagement work for the first time, or looking to extend and develop existing activity, setting up a student commission offers a new and exciting approach with potential for real impact.

In this section of the toolkit you will find information about:

2.1 Moving beyond student voice
2.2 Key benefits for those involved in a student commission

 

Links to useful websites and articles on student voice:


Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency
Sound Out
English Secondary Schools Students Association
SSAT
Teaching Expertise
Teachers TV
Learning futures
teachernet.gov.uk
National College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services
National Teacher Research Panel