St. Finian's Catholic Primary School

Pupil Voice at St. Finian’s Primary School

At St. Finian’s, we place great value on the voices of our children. Children learn that every opinion matters and that everyone in our community has the right to be heard and respected. We believe that children should be actively involved in driving positive change—within our school and beyond—empowering them to see that their ideas and actions can make a meaningful impact both locally and globally.

Pupil voice is a powerful tool that influences many aspects of school life. Pupils help shape the curriculum, express views on areas of interest, review teaching and learning, and contribute to embedding our school values.

A recent project, inspired by our Catholic ethos and school values, invited children to design a piece of artwork reflecting the Bible scripture “Living Water” (John 7). Their ideas and designs were brought together to create a beautiful quilted tapestry depicting God's Creation, now proudly displayed in our school corridor as a symbol of faith and creativity.

Oracy Assemblies are another inclusive platform for pupil voice at St.Finian's. Through structured debates around key questions, children build essential communication and listening skills. Oracy assemblies provide a safe, judgement-free space for pupils to express their views, boosting confidence and self-esteem through active participation.

In July 2025, we were thrilled to win the Greater Reading public speaking competition, speaking to the title: 'What would our ancestors think of society today?' 

There are regular opportunities for pupil voice at St. Finian’s. All Year 6 pupils serve as Gold Tie Leaders, regularly sharing their views and gathering feedback from peers across the school. They lead small focus groups (e.g. Reading for Pleasure) and meet with staff and governors to discuss topics such as safety, behaviour, and curriculum development.

Our Mini Vinnies (MV) group leads on social action projects and represents pupil perspectives. They’ve written letters to the headteacher about school uniform and interviewed the local MP about local issues including homelessness and poverty. They also take initiative in charity fundraising—raising £267 through their handmade goods stall at the 2025 Summer Fayre.

Beyond these roles, we offer a wide range of leadership opportunities that channel pupil voice and engage our children in decisions about school life. These include:

• Reading Ambassadors 

• YR–Y4 Buddy Partners

• Sport Leaders
• Eco-Leaders
• Bistro Buddies
• Chaplaincy Team Leaders
• Lunch Time Play Leaders

Pupil leaders work collaboratively with staff and governors to fulfil their roles, contributing to the wellbeing and development of the whole school community.

(See our Catholic Life section for how these roles support our school mission and values.).