Learning Democracy by Doing: Pupil Voice at Forest Farm

At Forest Farm, our child-centred ethos goes beyond the classroom. One of the most important lessons we teach is that young people’s voices matter.

Through forums, meetings and open discussion, pupils are encouraged to raise issues, share opinions and take part in decision-making. These experiences help them develop a real understanding of democratic principles – not just in theory, but in practice.

This belief extends to our support of school climate strikes. OMS students and families have actively participated in local events, learning first-hand what it means to engage with issues they care deeply about.

As one member of our community put it:

“We don’t understand why any school would not support children taking part in the school strikes. How can we expect young people to engage with politics if we don’t encourage and teach them to take part in legal democratic protests about issues they care about? Today’s lesson is DEMOCRACY.”

The impact of this approach is often reflected back to us by our pupils:

“After a couple of days at Forest Farm School, I began to act more like myself and the person I wanted to be.” – Jack, Forest Farm Seniors

“This is a little school that punches way above its weight.” – Ted, Forest Farm Seniors

By empowering young people to speak up and take action, we aim to nurture confident, thoughtful individuals who understand their role in shaping the world around them.