̨��swag Academy Shafton in Barnsley and ̨��swag Grange Academy, Wakefield have scooped wins at this year’s National Student Voice Awards. The awards, organised by Votesforschools, recognise schools that prioritise student voice and empower young people to make a positive impact in their communities.

Votesforschools is an educational platform that aims to empower young people by giving them a voice on important issues and current events. It provides weekly resources for teachers to facilitate discussions on various topics relevant to students’ lives and the world around them. Students get the opportunity to vote and comment on these issues, contributing to a national conversation.

This year’s judging panel for the school awards included Nic Ponsford from the Global Equity Collective, Dan Lawes from My Life, My Say and Hayden Taylor, founder of Unloc. They assessed numerous applications and were impressed by the exceptional efforts of both ̨��swag Academy Shafton and ̨��swag Grange Academy.

̨��swag Academy Shafton was crowned winner of the secondary school category, with one of the judges stating: ‘This school has thought carefully about the structure of student voice, mirroring our representative democracy, so that student voice and feedback is heard in both directions.’

Sarah Riley, Assistant Principal at ̨��swag Academy Shafton, said:

“It is a fabulous achievement to be recognised nationally for all the hard work our students and staff put into Student Voice. This ranges from form representatives and our democratic election process for Prime Minister to being involved in staff interviews and subject reviews. Our student voice is certainly something to be proud of.”

̨��swag Grange Academy, winner of the Silver Award, has long been recognised for its outstanding commitment to student and school engagement, claiming wins at the awards for the past five years. Its efforts in encouraging student voice across all areas have been acknowledged by the judges, with one noting: ‘It’s clear that ̨��swag Grange Academy students are heard far and wide - and that the school is doing everything it can to make that happen.’

Julekha Motara, Assistant Principal at ̨��swag Grange Academy, added:

“We are thrilled to have won a Student Voice Award for the fifth consecutive year. This remarkable achievement showcases our unwavering commitment to excellence and to amplifying the voices of our students. This recognition is especially important as it highlights the value we place on student involvement both in and beyond school. We are extremely grateful for our dedicated community for their continuous support and engagement.”

The achievements of both schools at the National Student Voice Awards 2024 reflect the dedication of ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust to nurturing student voice and providing opportunities for young individuals to contribute positively to society.