Pupil Power

in citizenship

Independent learning
Philosophy for children
School Councils
Peer Coaching

Key skills:
Problem solving,
Thinking,
Independence

Develops:
high self esteem
risk taking
trusting of other people

Independent learning
sign self in on register
independant learning time first 45 mins
children choose own activities but must be able to explain what they are doing and why and reflect on how this will help with their studies, for example consolidating previous work or building on it.

While learning is lead by children, staff assist in order to make sure national curriculum guides are met.

Lets children take ownership or their own learning giving them a focus and purpos to their learning.

Philosophy for children
Start with stimulus from which children will develop questions. Let them think of relevant explorations, discuss them and work together. The adult is a facilitator for the discussion, not to answer questions. This allows them to develop reasoning by sharing ideas, agreements and contradictions and voicing their own opinion. They will learn to recognise what is a philosophical question, one that can be thought about which may have different conclusions, rather than closed questions only requiring a one word answer.

This develops interpersonal skills as children will learn through debate that differences in opinion do not mean you are unable to be friends with or trust another person and that you can still work together while having contrasting views. In this way respect will be shown for one another and empathy.

School Council
The importance of having a voice, and the impact this can have on your own learning, knowing your rights and what is available for you.

Peer Coaching
It is very important to give back to the community, as well as having rights and being given opportunities. Taking responsibility for others provides a good social community, and helps children develop desirable relationships and respect while learnin from each other. In this system, older years will help younger years with parts of their knowledge of subjects, while at the same time by teaching this reinforces their own knowledge.


These systems give children space, let them voice their own opinions and make their own mistakes. This makes them responsible for their learning and allows them to take ownership for their actions.