Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Our Lady and St Anselm’s R.C. Primary. We have an active school council whose members are chosen by the pupils. This reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action. The school council works alongside a governor who liaises closely with the Head teacher. School council share the views of other pupils through a class idea box. The school council regularly feedback to the whole school at assembly time, sharing new ideas. A display in the school shares with all pupils the role of the school council within our school. We use opportunities such as general and local elections to hold mock elections in school. We work closely with Whitworth town council and the school council have the opportunity to hold their meetings twice a year in the council offices. Questionnaires are used as a tool to allow all stakeholders to express views. We teach children that they can influence decisions. The year 6 leavers are invited back each year to give us feedback on their transition to high school and how we can help the next year groups as the make the next step on their learning journey. Children work together to agree class rules and the rights associated with these. Pupils are listened to and taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinion and voices heard. Children have the opportunity to lead on different roles throughout school, Pupil Lay Chaplains and Sports Leaders apply for specific roles and work with groups of children at break times. We model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged e.g. by teaching about inspirational figures such as Mandela, Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King.