Pupil voice resource
Schools that actively listen to their pupils build stronger, more inclusive communities. Our pupil voice resource helps educators gather meaningful feedback from multilingual learners about their experiences of inclusion, belonging and support at school.
Developed in collaboration with inclusion expert Dr Nicole Ponsford, founder of the Global Equality Collective (GEC), this downloadable tool provides a structured way to open conversations with EAL students and understand how school culture impacts their learning experience.
Use the resource to uncover insights that can inform whole-school EAL inclusion strategy, strengthen pastoral support and enhance EAL learners’ wellbeing.
Why pupil voice matters for multilingual learners
For students learning English as an additional language, the school environment plays a crucial role in both academic progress and emotional wellbeing. Listening to pupil voice helps educators understand how these learners experience the classroom, relationships with peers, and the wider school culture.
Collecting feedback from multilingual learners can help schools:
- Identify barriers to inclusion or participation
- Understand how supported EAL students feel in lessons
- Improve communication between staff and pupils
- Strengthen belonging and confidence among multilingual learners
- Inform inclusive school policies and EAL strategies
By actively seeking pupil perspectives, schools can create environments where all learners feel safe to express themselves and succeed.
What is included in the pupil voice resource?
This pupil voice resource provides a structured framework that educators can use to gather insights from multilingual learners in a supportive and accessible way.
The resource includes:
- Guided discussion prompts for EAL students
- Reflection questions about belonging and inclusion
- Activities designed to encourage open conversation
- A printable format suitable for classrooms or small groups
The framework is designed to be flexible and can be used in tutor time, EAL intervention sessions or pastoral discussions.
How schools can use the resource
This pupil voice framework can support schools at different stages of their EAL strategy.
1. Understand student experiences
Use the resource to explore how multilingual learners perceive classroom participation, relationships with teachers and peer interactions.
2. Identify areas for improvement
Student feedback can highlight gaps in support, communication challenges or opportunities to strengthen inclusion across the school.
3. Inform whole-school EAL strategy
Insights from pupil voice can guide decisions around:
- EAL support provision
- staff training
- inclusive teaching practices
- school culture initiatives
4. Strengthen belonging and engagement
When students feel heard, they are more likely to feel confident, connected and motivated to participate in school life.
Frequently asked questions
Pupil voice refers to the process of listening to students’ perspectives about their learning experiences, school environment and wellbeing. Schools often use pupil voice activities to improve teaching practices and strengthen inclusion.
Multilingual learners may experience school differently from native speakers. Gathering pupil voice helps educators understand their needs, challenges and feelings of belonging so support strategies can be improved.
The resource is designed for:
- EAL coordinators
- classroom teachers
- pastoral staff
- school leaders
- inclusion leads
It can be used in primary, secondary and further education settings.
Effective pupil voice activities create a safe environment where students feel comfortable sharing their experiences. Structured prompts, small group discussions and reflective activities help encourage honest feedback.
