By Mrs Howe, Head of Junior School

This week, Junior School pupils have been completing our Pupil Survey. This is a key moment in the school calendar, and one I always await with real anticipation. It offers us a valuable opportunity to hear directly from our children about their lived experiences of school life.

In the Junior School, student voice isn’t simply about asking children what they think; it is about genuinely listening, valuing their perspectives, and allowing their ideas to shape school life in meaningful ways. From Year 3 to Year 6, girls have thoughtful opinions about their learning, their friendships, and the world around them. When we take those opinions seriously, wonderful things happen.

When I think about student voice, and why it is particularly important in an all-girls school, an old comedy sketch immediately springs to mind: The Amazing Invisible Woman from The Fast Show. Probably over thirty years ago now, Arabella Weir portrayed a woman who was consistently overlooked, unheard, and talked over. Although played for laughs, the sketch struck a slightly uncomfortable chord back in the 1990s.

Even today, three decades on, too many girls in society grow up believing that their voices matter less: that being agreeable is safer than being outspoken, that confidence can be mistaken for “bossiness”, and that speaking up is best done quietly, if at all.

Being in a girls-only environment from a younger age gives us, in the Junior School, a powerful opportunity to rewrite that story early. In our safe and secure all-girl setting, one of the key ways we do this is by providing a wide range of opportunities to capture, value, and act upon our pupils’ voices.

There are many reasons why student voice makes such a difference. Having a voice contributes to stronger learning outcomes. Within our IB Primary Years Programme, girls are actively involved in conversations about how they learn, becoming co-creators of their education. This increases motivation, engagement, and confidence. These are qualities that naturally lead to improved academic outcomes.

Our children also offer invaluable insight into what excites them, what challenges them, and how learning connects to the real world. Their feedback helps teachers refine their approaches, making lessons more contemporary, purposeful, and engaging.

Having a voice also contributes to stronger self-belief. Feeling heard builds trust and self-worth, which is particularly critical in the Junior years. Girls who know that adults listen to them are more likely to share worries, ask for help, and develop a secure sense of belonging at school.

Student voice fosters collaboration and mutual respect. When girls see that their ideas can influence decisions, from classroom environments to wider school initiatives, they develop a sense of ownership and pride in their community.

Student voice also supports the development of essential life skills. Learning how to express opinions respectfully, listen to others, and advocate for change are skills that stay with children for life. These experiences help girls develop confidence, problem-solving abilities, and an understanding of democratic participation from an early age.

Research consistently highlights that, if not nurtured, girls’ voices are at risk of becoming diminished as they grow up. By prioritising student voice in the Junior School, we actively counter that trend. Put simply, when girls learn early that their voice has power, they carry that belief with them into senior school, higher education, and beyond. When girls see that their words lead to meaningful change, they learn that speaking up is worthwhile.

Unlike the character portrayed in The Amazing Invisible Woman, our girls should never feel unseen. By embedding student voice into everyday school life, we help Junior School girls grow into confident, articulate young people who know that what they say matters, because it truly does.