With a noticeable decline in trust in democracy, a project that places student voices at the forefront of school life is gaining recognition for its potential impact. With rising support for far-right movements and an alarming number of citizens feeling powerless in politics, this initiative offers a beacon of hope, especially for younger generations who are often less likely to vote. Furthermore, reports suggest that a third of 18-30 year-olds in the UK would prefer an authoritarian system, indicating a crisis in faith in the democratic process.
Greg Sanderson, a former teacher and education policy expert, claims that the process of rebuilding trust should begin in the classroom. Despite UK schools being mandated to promote “British values,” such as democracy, Sanderson believes that simply telling students about democracy is not enough. Instead, he promotes a more engaging approach: students experiencing democracy in action.
While school councils are a common method of giving students a say, they often fall short of their transformative potential. This is primarily because outgoing students tend to dominate these forums, leaving the quieter ones feeling unheard. For example, a 2011 survey revealed that only two out of every five students felt that their school council listened to them.
Sanderson established the Smart School Councils (SSC) in 2014 to address this issue. SSC is a charity that provides a platform offering numerous discussion topics for students, adjusted to their specific age group. This platform allows students to lead weekly meetings, discuss these topics, record responses, and share their findings, all with minimal teacher involvement. The platform is designed to fit into a 15-minute slot, ensuring even the youngest students, as young as five, can participate.
SSC has grown swiftly over recent years, with around 750 schools participating, a majority of them located in England. The organization says that almost 90% of students in participating schools feel heard. Furthermore, over 90% of teachers agree that the SSC process enhances students’ listening and speaking skills, leading to improved discussions, confidence, and peer relationships. However, funding remains a challenge for SSC, with schools required to pay an annual subscription fee to use the platform, although some schools receive subsidies.
Despite the financial challenges, SSC has attracted influential supporters including musician Brian Eno, whose foundation funds the charity. Oracy, the ability to express oneself effectively in speech, is increasingly becoming a focus in the UK curriculum, reinforcing Sanderson’s initiative.
While there’s no hard evidence that SSC increases political engagement, many see a direct link. The UK’s Electoral Commission has recommended teaching oracy and debating as a strategy to prepare and encourage more young people to vote. Sanderson believes this process should start early and that discussing changes can make political processes more relatable to students. Along these lines, students from Kells Lane Primary and Halling Primary Schools have engaged in debates about subjects directly affecting their school lives. Expressing their opinions has taught the students that speaking out is beneficial and can impact their lives positively.
