All Chalk

Smart School Councils

All Chalk is a podcast celebrating the power of education to help young voices to speak up and create a fairer world. Each week, we sit down with inspiring teachers or educators to explore their stories, insights, and the impactful work they're doing to foster inclusivity and encourage student participation. Whether it's school councils, debating, democracy or participation, All Chalk uncovers the real stories behind the people making this happen every day. New episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more!

Episodes

  1. 06/24/2025

    How This SEN School in Wolverhampton Built a School Council That Gives Every Student a Voice

    How can a school council help prepare every student for life beyond the classroom, especially in an SEN setting? In this episode of All Chalk, we speak to Hannah Jarman, Head of PSHE, SRE, and Preparation for Adulthood at Penn Fields School in Wolverhampton. Hannah shares how their SEN school has created a truly inclusive student council - one that reflects the voice of every learner, not just a chosen few. By embedding the Smart School Councils programme into their curriculum, Penn Fields is helping students develop the communication, confidence, and leadership skills they’ll need for life beyond school. From structured class meetings to student-led initiatives, their approach places pupil voice at the heart of school life. In this episode, we discuss:✅ Why Penn Fields moved away from a traditional model of school council✅ How pupil voice is being embedded in lessons and linked to real-world preparation✅ What student leadership looks like in an SEN context✅ The role of structured, inclusive debate in building confidence and communication✅ How every student, from non-verbal learners to those with complex needs, can contribute meaningfully Hannah’s story is a brilliant example of what’s possible when school councils are built with inclusion, purpose, and real-world impact in mind. Stay Connected More about us: http://smartschoolcouncils.org Follow us on X/Twitter: https://x.com/SSCCTY Learn more about Penn Fields School: https://www.pennfields.com/ Follow Penn Fields School on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pennfieldsschool/

    36 min
  2. 06/11/2025

    How This SEMH School Built a School Council to Empower Every Students' Voice and Tackle Real-World Issues

    How can pupil voice thrive in a specialist SEMH setting? In this episode of All Chalk, Greg chats with Damien Cresswell, Associate Head of Parkhouse School, an SEMH school in South Yorkshire and part of the Keys Group. Damien shares how their school council has evolved into a powerful, inclusive platform for student voice that goes far beyond traditional models. With just 24 pupils, Parkhouse School shows what’s possible when every student is heard. Their approach uses the Smart School Councils programme to embed class meetings and regular debates into school life, building students’ confidence, communication skills, and ability to engage with real-world issues. In this episode, we discuss: ✅ How Parkhouse School moved from a tokenistic student council to a whole-school approach ✅ Why school councils matter in SEMH and specialist settings ✅ How class meetings promote respectful debate, discussion, and real action ✅ How pupils are now connecting global issues - like recycling or politics - to tangible school changes ✅ What it takes to scale pupil voice across 25 specialist schools in the Keys Group Whether you're teaching in a mainstream classroom or a specialist provision, Damien’s story is a compelling example of how school councils can be reimagined to empower every learner, not just the loudest. Stay Connected: More about us: http://smartschoolcouncils.org Follow us on X/Twitter: https://x.com/SSCCTY Learn more about Park House School: https://www.keyschildren.co.uk/schools/park-house-school/ Learn more about Keys Group: https://www.keys-group.co.uk/ Follow Keys Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeysGroupLtd

    20 min

About

All Chalk is a podcast celebrating the power of education to help young voices to speak up and create a fairer world. Each week, we sit down with inspiring teachers or educators to explore their stories, insights, and the impactful work they're doing to foster inclusivity and encourage student participation. Whether it's school councils, debating, democracy or participation, All Chalk uncovers the real stories behind the people making this happen every day. New episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more!