Pupil voices heard in Renfrewshire Council’s debating chamber

Park Mains High School pupils got a unique experience recently by holding their latest pupil senate in Renfrewshire Council’s council chambers.

The Erskine school has been giving pupils a platform to have their voices heard through pupil senates, allowing pupils to put forward suggestions to improve things for all year groups and help build their confidence and develop employability skills.

The incoming pupils in second year up to sixth year (S2 to S6) presented their ideas for increasing pupil employability skills and going into positive destinations at the third pupil senate. They did so in front of their peers and a panel of teachers, current sixth year (S6) pupils and officers from the Council’s Youth Services and Invest in Renfrewshire teams.

Pitches presented by pupils included tutor-led skill sessions, career professional visits, local job vacancies listings, working with local businesses to develop opportunities for young people, personal achievement courses, internships, and mentorships.

The winning pitch was from incoming third year (S3) pupils of career professionals visiting their school to talk to pupils twice a year.

Senior leaders at the school have provided £200 in funding to the winning idea.

Mhairi Taylor, Deputy Head Teacher at Park Mains High, said: “In August 2023, we started to explore ways in which Park Mains High School could enhance the pupil voice experience for our young people. Our senate idea was born. Never did we imagine that by our third senate we would have access to this phenomenal experience for our young people. The senate model has developed a range of essential employability skills and built confidence in our young people, providing them with a vehicle to express their views in a public forum. It has given our young people an opportunity to work in collaboration with their peers, staff, and partnership agencies to generate campaigns, promote their views and most importantly for those views to be listened to and acted on.  We can’t wait to see the positive impact of the winning campaigns as we action the plans next session!”

Siobhan Gray, Community Learning and Development Officer added: “As part of our role in supporting youth leadership and empowerment, Youth Services delivered training on leadership and campaigning to Park Mains High pupils in the lead up to their Pupil Senate.  It’s been great to see their progression through the process, gaining confidence and skills to present and debate, and we’re looking forward to the next stage in their development.”

Gerry Lyons, Head of Education for Renfrewshire Council, said: “Giving pupils a mechanism to have their voices heard has many benefits both in terms of learning experiences for the pupils presenting their ideas and also for the wider school population who benefit from the winning idea being adopted by the school. Having the opportunity to visit the council chambers where councillors meet to discuss and debate topics was an additional boost to the pupils.

“The pitches put forward by each year group were carefully considered and each had merits to be successful. I hope every pupil enjoyed the experience of holding their senate in the council chambers.”