Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government with support from the 'Reach the Heights' European Social Fund, children, young people and staff can use the Pupil Voice Wales website to share information, post comments, ask questions and publish case studies about their involvement in decisions that affect them in learning settings across Wales.
The new website, created by Imaginet, was launched by Cardiff City footballer, Joe Ledley who said: "Young people can get involved with technology and interact with it in ways that weren’t imaginable just a few years ago.
"Getting involved in safe and controlled websites like this can be a lot of fun and great way of learning new IT skills.
"It’s also really important for young people to get their voices heard and learn from a young age that they can make a difference by getting involved and participating in different ways – for instance through school councils, eco-groups, healthy schools and youth forums."
Deputy Minister Huw Lewis and Children’s Commissioner for Wales Keith Towler spoke to pupils at Kitchener Primary School in Cardiff at the launch of website and competition.
Huw Lewis said: "The last ten years has seen a technical revolution. We know that communicating in quick, fun and interactive ways is second nature – especially for our children and young people.
"By launching this website, we want to get more children and young people involved in decision-making and sharing good practice – and to have fun doing so!
"We envisage this site as a lively and attractive participative community, so that children, young people and adults can share ideas and examples of how we can develop more effective listening school communities which meet everyone’s needs."
Keith Towler said:
"Pupil participation in schools across Wales has developed considerably over the last seven years and has been recognised by Estyn as an essential part of all education.
"Every school and every child is different and the methods used to engage and involve will differ. I am hopeful this new website will empower more children and young people to take part in all matters of school life which affect them and that it will also enable professionals working with them to share best practice so that children’s participation is strengthened across Wales."
Pupil Voice Wales replaces the School Councils Wales website which was launched in 2006. The Welsh Assembly Government commissioned research in 2008 to gain feedback on the site by consulting children, young people and professionals.
As a result of the feedback, the new website aims to be:
- more interactive with forums, chatrooms and members’ pages
- more colourful and fun
- clear and user-friendly navigation
- tailored to different ages
- slimmed down in content – but focusing on a whole-school approach to participation – not just school councils.
