At Thomas Clarkson Academy we have a whole-school commitment to listening to the views, wishes and experiences of all our students. We expect all our students to be leaders of their own learning and promote positive change in our academy community.  Student voice is a democratic system run by the students to voice student opinions and act as a formal body for communication between students and staff. 

The structure of student voice provides opportunities for our students to develop skills such as working with a team; solving problems; making decisions, being enterprising and taking responsibility.  This also gives students the opportunity to develop and practice their leadership skills.  All student involved demonstrate commitment to the academy community and act as role models to their peers by encouraging the “I am TCA” ethos.   

Leading student voice in the academy, we have Form Representatives and a Student Leadership Group. 

Form Representatives

All of our students regularly take part in student voice meetings during tutor time, so every student is given the opportunity of have their voice heard on issues around the academy.  Each tutor group nominates two form representatives to attend year group meetings and articulate the contributions of the tutor group. Form representatives accumulate ideas for upcoming meetings and feedback on points discussed to their form.

Student Leadership Group

Our Student Leadership Group is overseen by the Sixth Form Leadership Team, led by the Head Boy and Head Girl. This group also consists of two representatives from each year group who act as ambassadors for their year group.  The Student Leadership Group links directly to the school’s Senior Leadership Team and this ensures our students have a vote and say on the real issues within the academy.

Student Voice Survey

Every student at the academy undertakes the GL Assessment PASS Survey – which is a tool that supports students wellbeing in learning and ensures every student’s voice is heard within the academy.

Cambridgeshire Student Forum

As an academy we are an active member of the Cambridgeshire Student Forum – which is a group of secondary schools and sixth form students looking to make a difference in the Cambridgeshire area. Students work within action groups to address agreed priorities, develop their critical thinking skills and to provide the opportunity for students to express their ideas and inform change.