Learners live the realities of school life every day. They know what works, what doesn’t, and what could make their school a better place. Yet, their voices are often missing when decisions are made at the top level. Including young people in school governance, and thereby encouraging youth leadership, isn’t just a nice idea; it’s crucial for creating a school environment that genuinely serves its learners.
Saeed Atcha (MBE DL) is CEO of Youth Leads UK, a charity based in Greater Manchester. Youth Leads UK is focused on developing leadership skills among young people and preparing them to take on active roles within their communities. Saeed first became a school governor at his former secondary school, Ladybridge High at the age of 21 in 2018. He now serves as a Member of the Watergrove Trust, and Chair of Inspiring Leaders, a partnership of 20+ MATs in the East Midlands.
Writing for Governors for Schools, Saeed explains the vital role of youth leadership in school governance:
Young people are at the heart of every school, yet their voices are often underrepresented in governance. Including them in decision-making processes isn’t just about giving them a say; it’s about ensuring that decisions reflect the realities of their daily lives.
The impact of involving learners in decisions
Involving young people in school governance helps cultivate a sense of responsibility and ownership. When they see that their opinions matter and can influence change, they are more likely to feel connected to their school and invested in its success.
Promoting leadership and skills development
One of Youth Leads UK’s flagship programmes is the Youth Leadership Programme. The programmes train young people in leadership, public speaking, and project management. This undeniably gives them the tools they need to take on leadership roles within their schools and communities. By providing these opportunities, Youth Leads UK helps learners develop a sense of agency and responsibility. This translates into better engagement in school activities and improved academic outcomes.
For school governors, one of the key responsibilities is to ensure that learners are not just passive recipients of education but active participants in their learning journey. Promoting leadership and skills development among learners is a crucial part of this. School governors can support by advocating for leadership development to be integrated into the school’s ethos and curriculum. This might involve public speaking, decision-making, and teamwork workshops, or creating opportunities for learners to lead school projects. By doing so, schools can help learners build the confidence and skills they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
Leadership isn’t just about being in charge. It’s also about learning to take responsibility, work with others, and make decisions that benefit the wider group.
Including more young voices in governance and encouraging youth leadership
To truly include young voices in school governance, school governors need to be proactive. This means being open-minded and willing to listen to what young people have to say. It also means reaching out to young people who may not typically get involved in governance. This includes those from underrepresented backgrounds. Outreach efforts should be deliberate and inclusive, ensuring that all young people feel welcome and valued.
Recruitment is another important aspect of including young voices in governance. Schools should consider ways to involve learners directly in the governing board, perhaps through the creation of a student governor role or by inviting learners to participate in board meetings. These steps can help to ensure that young people have a seat at the table. Additionally, this ensures their voices are heard.
Youth involvement in decision-making, particularly within the context of school governance, is not just beneficial—it’s essential. When young people are included in the decision-making process, it creates a more democratic and inclusive environment. It further ensures that the decisions made by school governors are informed by those who are most affected by them: the learners.