Mr. John Irwin:

We are coming to the end of a two-year collaboration with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, University College Cork, UCC, and the Student Voice project. We had our education conference recently. To listen to the students presenting their stories to adults was remarkable. We should have great hope for the future. I believe the area of the student voice is potentially transformative across schools. Ms O’Connor is a great supporter of it, and they encourage it greatly in Ramsgrange Community School. When one talks about trying to develop a positive school culture, this is where one gets the buy-in. Students feel they are being listened to and that their views are being taken into consideration in terms of decision-making. It does not mean that they get everything they want, but that there is positive engagement and it forms part of the decision-making process in schools.