The challenges of student voice in primary schools: Students ‘having a voice’ and ‘speaking for’ others

By Eve Mayes , Rachel Finneran and Rosalyn Black
Deakin University, Australia

From Australian Journal of Education

“Student participation in school decision-making and reform processes has taken inspiration from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and reconceptualizations of childhood, with advocates arguing for the repositioning of children and young people in relation to adults in schools (Fielding, 2011). This move has been termed ‘student voice’ – the inclusion, influence and active participation of young people in decisions about matters affecting them at school.

This article analyses data from a multi-sited case study of three primary schools and the accounts of students, teachers and school leaders of their student voice practices, to address the following research question: What are the challenges of enacting ‘student voice’ practices in primary school contexts? All three schools discussed in the article have developed strong student voice initiatives, and were part of a broader evaluation that explores the experience and perspectives of students, teachers and school leaders within these initiatives.

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We anticipate interest in our argument that young people’s access to voice and influence is more complex than the call to just ‘give’ students ‘a voice’; that schools celebrate some young voices while silencing others – and that young people themselves may ‘speak for’ other young people. We suggest that more work is needed to challenge the boundaries that schools (and, sometimes, students themselves) place on student voice. Turing towards a stance of listening and reciprocity may enable the deepening of connections and mutual learning in radically democratic schools.”

 

Article details

The challenges of student voice in primary schools: Students ‘having a voice’

and ‘speaking for’ others

Eve Mayes, Rachel Finneran, Rosalyn Black

First Published 3 Aug 2019

DOI: 10.1177/0004944119859445

Australian Journal of Education

 

About

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Rachel Finneran
Rachel Finneran

Rachel Finneran is a PhD student who is currently undertaking research in a Melbourne primary school relating to ‘student voice’.

Dr Rosalyn Black
Dr Rosalyn Black

Dr Rosalyn Black is a widely published scholar in the field of youth citizenship. Her latest books critically analyse the role of schools and universities in promoting young people’s capacity to influence social change. She is currently working with Eve Mayes on a research evaluation for the VicSRC.

Dr Eve Mayes
Dr Eve Mayes

Dr Eve Mayes has a national and international research reputation in the field of ‘student voice’: a movement that seeks to listen to and value the perspectives of young people. She has conducted research with the VicSRC, the peak body representing school students in Victoria, since 2016.

ResearchLORNA MCCONNVILLEStudent voice, listening, primary schools, childhood, student leadership, student relationships, children’s rights, Guest post, Education