Student Life Information

Secondary students launch a new Students Union for 11-19 year-olds

A group of 11-19 year olds from across England have formed a students’ union for secondary students aged 11-19 – the English Secondary Students’ Association (ESSA). Launched on 4 February 2005 at the TUC in London, ESSA aims to ensure that the student voice is heard in all debates on education.

ESSA was initially the brainchild of secondary student, Rajeeb Dey, from Upminster in Essex. While studying for his A-levels, Raj heard of the Union of Secondary Students in Ireland and discovered that school students there, together with almost every other country in Europe, have an organising body that represents the views of secondary students.

“What struck me was how the UK is seen to be at the forefront of European affairs and a leading nation of the world, yet it seems to be so far behind its European counterparts with regards to student representation” said Raj. “There have been so many important debates on education in England, from issues like random drugs testing to the Tomlinson Review of 14-19 Education, in which parents, teachers and governors all have their say, but the students themselves rarely get heard. It’s the same in individual schools too. Students often have excellent ideas about small or large changes that could make a positive difference to school life – but we’re rarely asked our views or get to have a say. If students aren’t engaged at a young age in decision making – can we blame them for the supposed apathy towards voting when they reach 18?”

ESSA is designed to redress this deficiency and is working to become the representative body for secondary students in England. It will demonstrate to students that their views on education are important and that, as stated in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, they have the “right to express views freely in all matters affecting” them.  ESSA held its inaugural conference on 4 February 2005 at the Trades Union Congress Centre in London. The conference, which was designed by secondary students for students, enabled students from across England to come together and debate how best to take ESSA forward, as well as discussing key issues likes the provision of local education services.

ESSA has already met with widespread support. Dey secured financial support and on-going advice from the Phoenix Education Trust and received an award from UnLtd – the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs. Both organisations have remained key supporters through ESSA’s initial planning period. ESSA is delighted to have secured funding from the Carnegie UK Trust for development work in 2005 and it has already been commissioned to produce a national training programme for students called “Confidence in Communication”. ESSA has also received messages of support from the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, National Union of Students, Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and numerous voluntary youth sector charities.

ESSA’s Launch Conference was kindly being sponsored by the Trades Union Congress, Phoenix Education Trust, UnLTD, Times Educational Supplement, EdComs, National College for School Leadership and the DfES Y Speak Consultation Fund.

www.studentvoice.co.uk