There’s so much discussion right now about different ways schools can support the return of their young people, especially considering how strange or different school will feel for many of them.

We think one of the most important tools to support young people’s return is by ensuring pupil voice is running and robust in school.

We do support this through our Class Meetings. So here’s some ideas for questions and answer options you can use through your Class Meeting Tool this term:

1. Question: Is being famous a good thing?

   Yes - you get to help people, No - it can be lonely, Yes - it comes with power, No - people will know everything about you, No - doing good is better than being famous.

2. Question: When the pandemic is over, how would you like the world to be different?

   End homelessness, More NHS funding, More peaceful communities, Pay rises for key workers.

3. Question: What was the best thing about learning at home?

   Sharing learning with family, Choosing what I study and when, Learning at my own pace, Seeing my teacher & friends online.

4. Question: How safe do you feel in school?

   Very safe, Safe, Sort of safe, Not very safe, Not safe at all.

5. Question: Do rules make life better or worse?

   Better, they keep the world in order, Worse, they are boring and get in the way, Better, if they are created correctly.

6. Question: If you could put one item into a time capsule, what would it be and why?

   A face mask, Suncream, Seeds, A book with a note, A family portrait.

7. Question: Do you feel listened to in school?

   Yes, all of the time, Yes, some of the time, Occasionally, No, not very often, No, never.

8. Question: What was your number one tip for staying happy and healthy in lockdown?

   Talking, Taking it each day as it comes, Having a balanced day, Dancing, Walking.

9. Question: How good is the UK at being an equal society?

   Perfect. No need to improve, Good, but could be improved, Bad. A lot of room for improvement, Terrible. Needs a major rethink.

10. Question: Are footballers paid too much?

    Yes, far too much, No, they deserve it, Some are.

11. Question: Is Boris Johnson leading the country well?

    He’s doing an amazing job, It’s tough right now, but he’s doing well, He’s under-performing, Terrible. We need a new leader.

     

12. Question: What do you wish you knew at the start of the pandemic?

    Where the virus came from, How long the pandemic and lockdown will last, Reminder to hug your family as much as possible, Learn how to use digital tools like Zoom.

13. Question: Should testing on animals be banned?

    Yes, it’s cruel, No, it helps us to create medicine, No, but we should do less, Yes, there are better alternatives.

14. Question: Should bottled water be banned?

    Yes, it’s environmentally bad, No, it should be a personal choice, No, banning things doesn’t work, We should encourage people to use less.

15. Question: What is the best way to make our school greener?

    Ban single use plastics, Everyone should walk or cycle to school, We should generate our own electricity, Re-wild our playground.

16. Question: Who is your lockdown hero and why?

    Scientists, Parents & Carers, Bus and Train Drivers, Politicians, Refuse Collectors.

17. Question: If you were the Prime Minister for a day, what would you do and why?

    Tackle Climate Change, End Homelessness, Improve Education, Fund the NHS more, Other (your idea)

18. Question: If Coronavirus was a character from a book or TV, who would it be and why?

    Lord Voldemort (He Who Should Not Be Named), Scar, The Big Bad Wolf, The White Witch, Darth Vader.

19. Question: Do you feel like your Smart School Council helps you to be heard in school?

    Yes, definitely, Yes, in some ways, I’m not sure, No, not always, No, never.

20. Question: Which one word would you use to describe 2020 and why?

    Extraordinary, Chaotic, Boring & Upsetting, Bizarre, Surprising.

21. Question: What matters more? Hard work or natural talent?

    Hard work, Natural Talent, A mix of both, Something else.