Recently, Thom and I visited St Benedict’s CVA in Derby to conduct some student voice to support the development of our Post 16 Curriculum. The students and staff at St Benedict’s made us so welcome and the conversations with the young people were fabulous. It really reminded me why I loved being in Post 16 Leadership for over 9 years. These young adults were thrilled to be involved in something that was so meaningful and beneficial not just to them but to sixth formers across the country.
The ‘need gap’
Student voice matters for Post 16 PSHE because this is the phase of education where we can see a gap between what we as teachers and educators think young people need and what they actually face is at it’s widest. Here are the strongest points you could draw on:
It highlighted how their experience of being a 16-19 year old is not what ours was at that age:
Online pressures, AI, social media, vaping, and shifting norms around relationships and identity. Students are the experts on what their peers are encountering right now, and it’s the best way to keep content current and relevant.
The opportunity to contribute
It also made me realise how, this project, which is hearing voices across the country models the skills we want these students to leave education with. Ensuring they are consulted, having their views taken seriously, and seeing change result from it is itself good preparation for adult life. It’s civic and democratic education in practice.
I was also honoured to deliver Best Practice Training to all staff, focusing on how schools can create safe spaces for students in all year groups, tackle difficult topics and encourage discussion-based learning. Anna West and her team were fabulous and the work being done at St Benedict’s is fantastic. I am so privileged to be a small part of it.
Kathryn Hanna, School Success Manger, Life Lessons