What the UK Can Learn from Finland’s Approach to School Councils
When it comes to pupil voice and participative democracy within schools, the UK could learn a few lessons from Finland. Although the UK has made strides in encouraging civic participation within its educational institutions, data suggests that several factors still hinder an all-inclusive approach.
Access and Equality in England vs Finland
In England, social background and expected educational outcomes are statistically significant factors affecting a pupil’s likelihood of participating in a school council. Schools with socially privileged and ethnically majority pupils also tend to offer more opportunities for council participation
Contrast this with Finland—a Nordic country where neither social background nor ethnic composition bears a statistically significant effect on council participation. This reveals a noteworthy difference in how the two countries approach educational democracy..
The Social Gap
What’s particularly disconcerting in the UK is the strong correlation between social background and political engagement, which is markedly higher than in other European countries. This suggests that the systemic barriers in the UK aren't limited to school councils but extend to broader civic participation as well.
A Finnish Model for the UK?
Finland's more equitable approach could serve as an inspiration for systemic change in the UK. In Finland, approximately 91% of schools have councils, as compared to Europe's overall 81%. This high figure indicates that pupil voice is not just a tokenistic exercise but a widespread and integral part of Finnish educational culture.
Conclusions
The social inequalities plaguing council participation in the UK require immediate attention. While Finland’s model might not be a one-size-fits-all solution, it does offer a working blueprint for how the UK might improve its current system. Emulating Finland’s inclusive approach could be a crucial step in closing the social gap in political engagement in schools and beyond.
The time is ripe for the UK to reform its approach to pupil voice, and Finland’s example could be a guiding light on this journey towards greater equality and inclusivity.
Smart School Councils, a charity devoted to establishing an inclusive approach to pupil voice, invites you to join this vital conversation. Your thoughts and opinions can help shape a more equitable future for all students.
Stay tuned for more insights as we continue to explore the complexities of pupil voice and school councils.