About Student Voice

At St Michael’s Church of England High School, we believe consultation with students is integral to nurturing responsible, collaborative, and proactive young people. Engaging students in sharing thoughts, ideas, and opinions about teaching and learning, pastoral matters and their school experience as a whole, in turn, helps to build their confidence in school structures and procedures.   

Student Voice was launched in 2012 and is a non-elite group, consisting of around 100 members. It offers a sense of community and provides a platform for young people to share ideas, work with others and, most importantly, create change. Through this catalyst, we have been able to work with a wide range of community partners to develop award-winning projects and initiatives. Students attend meetings at lunchtime, after school, evenings, and during holiday periods to develop initiatives ranging from fundraising and mental health, primary school transition, and working with elderly members of the community.  

Student Voice welcomes students of all ages and abilities to take part, enabling them to develop their confidence, self-esteem, initiative, and much more.  Our projects vary, based on student ideas and trending issues.  Previous initiatives have included: 21st Century Child, Equality & Diversity, Wellbeing Champions, Unmuted Radio, LINKS intergenerational programme, fundraising, and the #21AOK kindness campaign. 

In addition to the activities mentioned, Student Voice participates in numerous consultation activities. Members have regular opportunities to share their ideas with school staff, the Headteacher, the governing board, and our partner agencies such as West Midlands Police and local councillors.

The community office is the hub for all Student Voice activities, and we are always looking for new members. If you would like to find out more, please contact Kerry Whitehouse at kerry.whitehouse1@st-michaels.sandwell.sch.uk.

Student Voice Awards

  • Queens Platinum Jubilee 2022 – The Mayor of Sandwell Award for significant contribution to the local area 
  • Birmingham Children’s Hospital 100 Heroes Award 2022 
  • Birmingham Children’s Hospital 100 Heroes Award – Outstanding Contribution to Fundraising 2021 
  • Birmingham Children’s Hospital 100 Heroes Award 2021 
  • Bishop of Birmingham Award – Creative Links & Innovative Community Partnerships 2021 
  • Birmingham Children’s Hospital 100 Heroes Award 2020 
  • West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner Outstanding Youth Community Project – 2019 
  • Birmingham Children’s Hospital 100 Heroes Award 2019 
  • Rowley Regis Community Awards – Winner of Community Project 2019 
  • Rowley Regis Community Awards – Runner Up for Outstanding Young Persons Award 2019 
  • Rowley Regis Community Awards – Finalist for Partnership Working 2019 
  • SHAPE Democracy Award 2018 
  • Birmingham Children’s Hospital 100 Heroes Award 2017 
  • Birmingham Children’s Hospital 100 Heroes Award 2016 
  • Birmingham Children’s Hospital 100 Heroes Award 2015 
  • Birmingham Children’s Hospital 100 Heroes Award 2014 
  • Sandwell Shadow Youth Cabinet Star Awards – Anti-Bullying Award 2013 
  • Sandwell Shadow Youth Cabinet Star Awards – Volunteer Award 2013 

Student Voice Spotlight Features

  • D-CYPHR event in partnership with NIHR BioResource and Anna Freud National Centre for Children & Families
  • Featured as part of ‘Our Commonwealth’ exhibition commissioned by the Living Memory Project
  • Showcase at BMAT LGBTQ+ Community Celebration Event
  • 21st Century Child Showcase at Schools & Academies Show, London
  • Student Voice presentation on the environment as part of Cathedral Conversations at Birmingham Cathedral
  • Presentation to Brent Authority Mental Health Network to showcase student-led initiatives
  • Participation in a national wellbeing research project with the University of Manchester and the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence
  • Featured on BBC Ill Gotten Gains in partnership with West Midlands Police Cannabis Disposal Team
  • Interviewed by BBC WM about knife crime & 21st Century Child initiative
  • Interviewed by Heart FM about the silent protest at knife angel
  • Featured on Black Country Radio promoting mental health initiatives
  • Featured in NHS Heartbeat newsletter promoting Fizz Free Feb
  • Featured on Birmingham Live TV to promote HLF funded WW1 Poppies & People project

Award Winning Fundraisers

Student Voice has an outstanding reputation for fundraising to support community charities. Since 2012, we have raised more than £70,000 for a range of charities including Birmingham Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Macmillan Cancer Research, Cancer Research, Smile Train, Edward’s Trust, VICTA, Joshua Ribera Foundation, and more.  Our fundraising activities often vary based on trends but have previously included “I’m A Teacher, Get Me Out of Here”, bake sales, a sponsored bounce, a community winter fayre attended by more than 1000 people, luxury raffles, and supermarket bag packs.  We have developed a special relationship with Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and our fundraising for the charity currently exceeds £47,000.  We have won the Birmingham Children’s Hospital 100 Heroes Award in recognition of our fundraising achievement no less than eight times and, in May 2021, were also awarded the Honourable Heroes Award for Outstanding Contribution to fundraising.  This is a testament to our ongoing partnership and commitment to helping others.  In addition to raising funds, we also support local charities with donations of food and essential items.