Peer Support in Action
The School I'd like - The Children's Manifesto
Extracts from the Guardian Education, June 5th 2001
From the competition promoted by the Guardian, we report some of the children's views for a better school. The school they would like is:
- A beautiful school
- A comfortable school
- A safe school
- A listening school
- A flexible school
- A relevant school
- A respectful school
- A school without walls
- A school for everybody
A respectful and listening school.
"Respect" was the
single word that occurred most; it was what the children wanted,
yet 
felt they didn't get. Few objected to rules - in fact,
most children wanted clear guidelines. It was unfair rules,
written only for the benefit of the adults, that they objected
to. In their words:
"In the school I'd like there would be rules, but they would guide us, not confine us".
"In the school I'd like, a teacher could walk into the classroom and be in the mood to teach. When the teachers are in a good mood the children benefit and learn more. It's been proven that when you feel threatened that your brain stops learning and no one improves".
"My perfect teacher would have a big smile, rosy cheeks and be kind to children".
"In the school I'd like all the children respect the teachers and the teachers respect the children so altogether they manage to have a very pleasant time of it".
"We will no longer be treated as herds of an identical animal waiting to be civilised before we are let loose on the world.... We will be thought of as individual people".
"I think we should have a quiet time for the last half hour in school... where you just sit down and talk to the teacher about problems you are having at school".
"At the end of every month, children vote for two children from each age. Children can tell the two children from their age group any ideas for the school."
"In the school I'd like priority is given to structuring relationships so that children can talk to adults, can lean on and trust adults, can ask things of adults, can feel empowered by the adults they come into daily contact with. At present there is a gulf between pupil and teacher that is not a generation thing, but an authority thing."
A safe school.
Many children were concerned for their
safety in the playground, asking for more security systems,
fire exits etc.
Other children could also make them feel secure. "Buddy systems",
where older children look out for younger, especially in the
first year of secondary, were suggested. Bullies were to be
dealt with. In their words:
"If I had loads of money to change the school I would have any anti-bully alarm..."
"Sometimes when the bell goes people get scared because you get pushed".
"...I'd like a school where I would not get bullied in the playground and in school. And all the teachers are nice and friendly".
A school for everybody.
The children wanted everyone, girls and boys, to be able to go to their ideal school - whatever their background, beliefs, abilities or disabilities. Grading was rejected as divisive and inappropriate; children should be praised for doing their best. In their words:
"A lot of pupils don't get cups even when they try their best.... Why can't people at the bottom group get a cup for trying to improve?".
"So what would my ideal school be like? ...a neighbourhood school that is comprehensive in what it offers, a school for everyone."
"My ideal school would be the main meeting place in the village...".
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