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Feedback ReportFeedback ReportSeptember 2005

Have Your say…about school______________________________________________________________

Children’s Voices Project0114 273 5233

Contents

Introduction 2

Executive summary 3Enjoying and achieving 3

Staying safe 4

Being healthy 4

Making a positive contribution 5

Economic well-being 5

Phase 1: Consultation events 6

What did we do? 6Monitoring information 7

What did children tell us? 11Play in school 11

Health in school 17

Bullying in school 22

Behaviour at school 25

Learning at school 29

Children’s voices in school 31

After-school and holiday provision 35

Phase 2: Questionnaires 36

What did we do? 36

What did children tell us? 37Talking about…you and your home 37

Talking about…school 43

Talking about…feeling safe 49

Talking about…bullying 51

Talking about…after-school activities 54

Talking about…moving to secondary school 55

Talking about…your feelings 57

Phase 3: Focus groups 60

What did we do? 60

What did children tell us? 61Arbourthorne Primary School 61

Springfield Primary School 65

Have Your Say…about school______________________________________________________________


2

Introduction

Children are at the heart of many services throughout Sheffield. Theirinvolvement in the planning, delivery and evaluation of services affecting themis critical for ensuring a service is efficient and based on actual need.

Article 12 of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child states that, “Children and young people have a right to express an opinion and to have that opinion taken into account in any matter affecting them”. This statement has been supported at a local level through the work of theChildren’s Society and Children’s Funds.

The Children’s Voices Project, funded by Sheffield Children’s Fund, is firmly committed to this principle and is leading on children’s participation in Sheffield.

For more information on matters relating to this report or for support andadvice in involving children in your setting please contact:

Clare HumberstoneChildren’s Voices Project ManagerSheffield Children’s Fund PlusFloor 3, Palatine Chambers22 Pinstone StreetSheffieldS1 2HN

Tel: 0114 273 5233Email: [email protected]



3

Executive summary

During April, May and June 2005 Sheffield pupils aged 5-13 years were askedtheir views on issues related to education and schools. The results of theconsultation were to feed into the ‘Engagement with Learning’ consultation. The consultation process was undertaken in 3 phases: Phase 1: 3 days of consultation activities involving 350 children Phase 2: questionnaires circulated to Year 5 pupils involving 6 schools

and 268 pupils Phase 3: focus group work involving 2 schools and 14 pupils

A summary of the key findings from the children’s responses is presented below:

Enjoying and achieving

Academic achievement Three-quarters of the children who responded are happy at school One-third enjoy most lessons; less than one-fifth do not enjoy any

lessons at school During holidays, friends and school work are the things that children

miss most Children feel they achieve “very well” in games and art, “OK” in maths

and literacy but “could do better” in science Fun, more interesting and interactive lessons would help children learn

more effectively Other children’s bad behaviour stops learning; these children should be

sent to work in another room More time and more adults would help children achieve better in maths,

literacy and science Children get on best with their friends, learning mentors and teachers at

school Bad behaviour is thought to be mainly because of children showing off,

ADHD or children being bullied themselves The most common punishment for badly behaved children is being sent

to the head teacher; they should be made to miss playtimes or excluded Good behaviour should be rewarded rather than bad behaviour

punished; rewards should include stickers and certificates Children like to feel proud of their school

Play at school The best things about play at school are being with friends and

playtimes; the worst things are people hurting you, fighting and bullying Most children prefer playing outside at school than playing inside The most popular activities when playing outside are team games and

sitting chatting to friends The most popular activities when playing inside are playing with



4

computers and on apparatus Children like having things to do or equipment to play on at playtimes; it

helps to reduce fighting and bullying Most children think they have a lot of time to play but would like even

more time, more football and no bullying Half of children were happy with the after-school clubs they attend at

school; the most popular activity is sports clubs 4% of children said there were no after-school clubs at their school During the school holiday children would like schools to provide trips,

swimming, play schemes and sports clubs

Staying safe Almost all children who responded said they had either been victims of

bullying or knew someone who had been bullied Bullying takes place most commonly close to home or in the playground

at school Most children would talk to a teacher if they were being bullied at school Bullying is most commonly dealt with by the head teacher who often

talks to the bully’s parents Almost half of children had been teased within the past four weeks Most children have places outside where they can play safely Most children are allowed out more often when going out with friends or

adults than on their own Safety from other people and traffic issues are the main factors affecting

whether children play out or not Children generally feel safe when playing outside in their area, except

when they are alone Less traffic, more police and being safe from teenagers would improve

safety for children; 18% would not change anything about safety in theirarea

Being healthy

Emotional well-being Being loved is the best thing about living in a family Most children would not change anything about their family. Of those

who would change something, “shouting and arguing” was the mostcommon response

Most children feel most comfortable talking to a friend or a teacher abouta problem at school

Most children said they feel happy most of the time



5

Physical well-being Children are aware that they should eat healthy food and stated a desire

for better education for them and their parents about healthy eating Children feel they could be helped to be healthier through healthier

meals at school, more time for PE and longer playtimes The most common breakfast foods are cereal and juice; 10% of children

who responded said they did not eat anything before going to school Children recognise the health benefits of drinking plenty water; water is

readily available at school, primarily through taps in classrooms andwater fountains

More than half the children who responded walked to and from school A school nurse is seen as someone who can be trusted for a confidential

conversation at school Children would also like access to a school nurse outside of the school

day, for example at after-school clubs or home

Making a positive contribution Most schools have a school council Class reps are a common method of children making their views known

within school; school reps also report back to pupils about school councilmeeting discussions

Suggestion boxes are an effective way of collating children’s views within school

Less than half of the children who responded feel part of what happenswithin their school; 20% feel that nothing happens as a result of schoolcouncil discussion

Three-quarters of children feel that they are not consulted on issues inschool that are important to them, such as bullying

Almost half of the children who responded feel that adults do not listen tothem when they tell them something

Jobs around school are viewed as a good way of being involved inschool life and allow children to feel proud of their school

Economic well-being More than half of the children who responded are looking forward to

going to secondary school The best things about going to secondary school are trips and exciting

things to do The worst things about going to secondary school are the fear that work

might be too hard



6

Phase 1: Consultation events

What did we do?

In April 2005, the Children’s Voices Project invited primary aged children from across Sheffield to attend one of three ‘Have Your Say…about school’ events. The events were held in Sheffield city centre, Sharrow and Norfolk Park from6th–8th April 2005. Fun activities, including circus skills and break dancingworkshops, badge making, biscuit decorating and an obstacle course wereprovided along with a number of consultation activities. Consultationtechniques were specifically designed to be fun and engaging and to best suitthe area being consulted on. The children were free to choose whichactivities they took part in.

The table below shows the issue consulted and the technique used:

Consultation issue Consultation techniquePlay Picture votingSchool nurses and health Questionnaire and treasure huntBehaviourLearningBullying

Big Brother diary room

Children’s voices QuestionnaireAfter school and holiday provision Post-it notes

On arrival, the children were asked to register their details in an ‘activity booklet’ to accompany the day’s events. The children kept this booklet with them during the day. After completing a minimum of four fun activities andfour consultation activities, the children handed in their booklet in return for agoody bag. The completed booklets contained information about the child,including name, gender, age, date of birth, school attended and ethnicity.This allowed us to collate valuable monitoring information about the childrenwho attended.

From the monitoring information we received we know that half of the childrenattending were female and half were male. The average age of the childrenattending was 8 and a half years old. The children came from 43 differentschools across Sheffield and live in 30 different areas across the city. Two-thirds of the children attending were white British. Of the remaining children,the highest number of attendees were from Pakistani, dual heritage, Somaliand Caribbean ethnic backgrounds.

The findings, including monitoring information collated at the events, arepresented below:



7

Monitoring information

Are you a boy or a girl?

How old are you?

What word best describes you?

47.5

52.5Boy

Girl

1

97

13

18

13

17

22

0

5

10

15

20

25

4 year

s

5 year

s

6 year

s

7 year

s

8 year

s

9 year

s

10ye

ars

11ye

ars

Age of child

%o

fch

ildre

n

67

10 95 5

2 1 10

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Whit

e

Pakist

ani

Multipl

e herita

ge

Somali

Caribb

ean

Libya

n

Yemen

i

Indian

%o

fch

ildre

n

What area do you live in?

0.5

2.5

10.5

21 1

3.5

0.5 0.5 0.5

11.5

1 1

5.5

1

2.5

8

18

2.5

4

2.5

6

2 22.5

0.5

15

0.5 0.5

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Abbey

dale

Batemoo

r

Beauc

hief

Bradw

ay

Broom

hall

Cross

pool

Darna

ll

Eccles

all

Encliff

e

FirthPar

k

Frech

eville

Gleadle

ss

Gleadle

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ey

Green

Hill

Herdin

gs

Highfie

lds

Hillsbo

roug

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Jord

antho

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Lowed

ges

Lowfie

ld

Manor

Nether

Edge

Norfol

k Park

Norton

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all

Parso

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Pitsmoo

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Sharro

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Shireg

reen

Woo

dsea

ts

%o

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n

Have Y

our Say…

about school_________________________________________________________________

Children’s V

oices Project

80114

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What is your school called?

Children’s V

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90114

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Have Y

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about school_________________________________________________________________

10.5

2

1

4

2

1 1 1

4

3

0.5 0.5

3

2

13

10

4

10.5

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2

0.5 0.51

4

0.5

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6

7

2

1 1 10.5

1 1

4

1

2

1

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2

4

6

8

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12

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dale

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Bal

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What school do you go to?

Key0-4 children

5-9 children

10-14 children

15-19 children

20-24 children

Have Your Say...about school

10



11

What did children tell us?

Play in school

Where do you like playing most in school?

playing inside23%

playing outside77%



12

When you’re playing outside at school, what do you like doingmost?

running and chasing games team games12% 45%

games to play on my own traditional games9% 5%

quiet games sitting chatting to my friends5% 24%



13

Where is your favourite place to play outside at school?

hard playground all-weather pitch13% 19%

grass playing field wood play area17% 18%

play equipment natural things to play26% 7%



14

When you’re playing inside at school, what do you like doing most?

home corner board games6% 4%

computers apparatus38% 26%

movement indoor games14% 5%

dressing up7%



15

How often do you play at school?

What is the best thing about play at school?

%Playing with friends 36Football 27PE 8Skipping 6Playing games 6Basketball 4The playground 4Swings 2Computers 2Tiggy 1Playing inside 1The equipment 1Wet / muddy playing field 1Art 1

25

10

12

1

LotsSometimesNot muchNever



16

What is the worst thing about play at school?

%People hurting you / fighting 20Bullying 16Falling over / hurting yourself 13Arguments 9Teachers shouting at you 8Not enough equipment 5Rain 4Nothing 3Swearing 2When it’s cold 2Breaking your legs 2Dangerous bits of play area 2Games 2Being lonely 2Skipping 1No dressing up 1Boys 1Cricket 1Playtimes not long enough 1Being scared 1Football 1PE 1Kiss catch 1Indoor games 1

If you could change one thing about play at school, whatwould it be?

%More time to play 27More football 15No bullying 13Football pitch and nets 9No football 6Being able to go on the grass 5No fighting 5More things to play on 5Girls to play football 5Safer yard 4Adventure playground 4No swearing 2

What would help you be healthier at school?

61

18

85 5

1 1 0.5 0.50

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Healthiermeals; more

fruit andvegetables

More PEtime

Longerplaytimes

Water inclassrooms

Free milk Having aschool nurse

Lessonsoutside

Lessonsabout being

healthy

Fresh air

%o

fch

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Health

insch

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Have Y

our Say…

about school_____________________________________________________________

Children’s V

oices Project

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What does a school nurse do?

43

18 18

5 4.53 3

2 1.5 1 1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Look afteryou if youare sick

Checks tomake sureI'm healthy

Look afteryou if youfall over

Eye tests Checksheight and

weight

Checks yourteeth

Giveinjections

Check myears

Teaches usabout drugs

Give youhearing test

Don't know

%o

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Have Y

our Say…

about school_____________________________________________________________

Children’s V

oices Project

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What else could a school nurse do?

20

11 1110

9

6 65.5

5 5

2 21 1 1 1 1

0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

0

5

10

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about school_____________________________________________________________

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If you had a personal problem, would you talk to a school nurse about it?

27

10

63

YesNoMaybe

Have Y

our Say…

about school_____________________________________________________________

Children’s V

oices Project

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Where else would you like to talk to your school nurse?

33

21

13

9

6 6 64

1 1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

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about school_____________________________________________________________

Children’s V

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22

Bullying in school

What do you think bullying is?Response % CommentsNasty 50 It hurts your feeling and it’s really, really bad

People teasing you for no reason all the timeCalling names 29 Calling you names and always picking on you every

single dayPhysical attacks 21

Do you know someone who has been bullied?Response %Me 60Friend 17Someone at school 12Sibling 5No-one 4I bullied someone 2

Where did it happen?Response %School 81Playground 66On way home from school 19Classroom 12School field 22

What time of day did it happen?Response % CommentsPlaytime 48Lunchtime 25 Mostly dinner times when they have more time

to walk about the playground and stuff, whenthere’s nothing else for them to do

After school 10During lesson time 10All day 7

Who would you talk to if you or a friend were being bullied?Why would you talk to this person?Response % CommentsMy teacher 41 He said at the beginning of the year ‘come and

talk to me if you’re being bullied’ so it showshecares and I know I can trust him

Head teacher 26 Because I know he can do somethingHe sorts everything outCos I know he will sort it



23

Mum or Dad 14 I’d rather talk to my mum because my mum always listens to me not like the teachers…if I tried to tell them they’d probably tell me to stop talking. It’s rubbish

Learning mentor 7 She’s more understanding, she does a friendship group

Another teacher 3 I get on with him better than my teacherDinner lady 3 She’s always there when it’s happening and can

stop it straight awaySchool council 3 Then they can tell a teacherFriend 1.5 He makes me feel comfortable, calms me down

and makes me laughNo-one 1.5 I talked to my teacher but she didn’t listen, she

said just leave itOther comments:They should get a person who isn’t from school to come in so more people would talk to them about stuff like bullying…if it was someone who was from school like a teacher they’d say they haven’t got enough time

Do you know if your school has a bullying policyResponse %Yes 80No 13Don’t know 7

Does your school ask the pupils about how the school shoulddeal with bullies?Response % CommentsNo 75Yes 25 The school council talk about it

Yes we get asked through the school councilWe made this poster about bullying to go on the walls

How does your school deal with bullying?Response % CommentsMiss playtimes 23Temporary exclusion 17 It works cos they get scared that they might

be kicked out altogether so it makes themstop

See head teacher 13 They talk to them and find out why they’re bullying peopleOur head teacher gets everyone into thehall and talks to us all about bullying andwhy you shouldn’t do it

Permanent exclusion 10Talk to teacher / learningmentor

10

After school detention 10



24

Bully form (for the victim) 7 It [bully form] tells you what to do if you’re being bullied

Do nothing 7 Loads of people get bullied at our schooland we have a bullying policy but theteachers never carry it out so they knowthey can get away with it

Internal exclusion (go andwork in another room)

3

How do you think your school should deal with bullies?Response % CommentsWarnings system 27Permanent exclusion 19 Ask them why they’re bullying and then

send them to another schoolI’d expel them permanently so theywouldn’t be able to bully me

Call their parents 15 Write a letter to parents and they would becross and punish them at home too

Miss playtimes 15Temporary exclusion 12Involve police 8 The school should ask a policeman to talk

to themif it’s really seriousTalk to them 4 Talk to them and find out why. Is it

someone you don’t like and if it is then why do you play with them, why don’t you just stay away from themTalk to them and punish everyone if thebully won’t own up



25

Behaviour at school

Why do you think children behave badly at school?Response % CommentsAttention seeking / showingoff

33 Sometimes they want to be cool. Theythink they’re right good but they’re not

ADHD 14Being bullied themselves 14Problems at home 9They know they can getaway with it

5

Bad grades 5Learning problem 5They can’t get their own way

5

Showing off in front ofsupply teachers

5

Don’t know 5

What happens in your school when children behave badly?Response % CommentsSent to head teacher’s office

22 If you’re naughty you have to sit on the naughty chair outside the head teacher’s office and he comes out and talks to youand if you do it again he writes a letter toyour parents and after that he just keepson writing letters and letters and lettersHe gives them chances cos he’s a nice head teacher

Lose playtime or lunch time 17 A 10 minute detention at dinner time…but they think it’s not a lot so it doesn’t stop themYou have to sit next to the window andwork and listen to everyone outsideplaying

Isolation / sent to work inanother room

16 Bad people get new things, a niceclassroom and fun things to do likecolouring. It’s not fairThe rainbow room is nicer than ourclassroom, it’s got all nice new stuff in it and I don’t see why naughty people should be allowed to go there, you shouldbe able to got here if you’ve been good cos it’s a treat. If you’re good you should be able to go in there and do colouringlike for golden time but not as apunishment just on your own

Detention 13



26

Warning systems leading toother punishment

8 We have yellow and red cards…you get a yellow card every time you’re naughty and if you get 3 then you get a red cardand that means you miss playtimes for aweek. If you get 3 red cards you’re expelled

Told off by teacher 8Miss fun lessons 8 If they swear at a dinner lady they’re not

allowed to go swimmingTime off golden time 8

How do you think children in school should be punished forbad behaviour?Response % CommentsExclusion 36 Then they won’t be able to misbehave

because some people are really badLose playtime or lunchtime 27Sent to head teacher 13Given warnings 9After school detention 9Cane 4 Shouting doesn’t do any good cos they

just take the mick out of them, theyshould really punish them like with caning

Do you think teachers react to bad behaviour in the same wayas parents? What is the difference?Response % CommentsNo 87 Teachers can’t ground you and can’t smack you

Your mam would be nasty and ground you but teachersdon’t do anything cos they know they’d get done like your mam will smack you but teachers can’t do it and kids know it and that’s why they behave badly at school more than at homeAt school they just say that’s your warning’ and carryonbut my mum she’ll just smack me and send me to bed…my mum is the worst punishmentBecause my mum would hit me and teachers can’t…I would be more bad at school than for my mumTeachers don’t hit you because sometimes you get smacked by your mum don’t you but teachers can’t so they just send you to isolation…people would be better if teachers could hit themTeachers start shouting and bawling and parents justsmack youThey’re different punishments…parents’ is worseTeachers don’t slap youParents don’t give you warnings, they shout at you,ground you and tell you to go to bed



27

Yes 13 They both calm the person downThey both just shout at youThey stop you playing out at playtime like parents stopyou playing out on a night

Do you think that children should be rewarded for goodbehaviour?Response % CommentsYes 95 There’s a lot of people who just get on with it in their

lessons and no-one ever says anything to themThey don’t notice when you’re doing something well even when you’re really trying your hardest when you’re not very good, they never see how hard you’re trying

Sometimes 5 If you did it all the time it wouldn’t be a treat

No 0

How should children be rewarded for good behaviour? Whathappens in your school?Response % CommentsStickers 36Certificates 24Presentations in assembly 14Free dinners 9Star chart and prize 9Golden points 4 Golden points…names go in a pot and

it’s drawn on a Friday and 3 people get a prize like a pen or a pencil orsomething

House points 4Other comments:We get credits…little slips of paper and if you get 50 you get a prize, a sticker book or somethingAt our school naughty people get rewarded, they get to have their lunch beforeanyone else, it’s wrong

Do you think it is more important to punish bad behaviour orreward good behaviour? Why?Response % CommentsReward good behaviour 74 I think bad kids should just be ignored and

left to what they’re doing and then they’ll get fed up of it and then praise all goodbehaviour and they’ll get jealous of all theattention and just stop it because they’re only naughty cos they’re attention seeking anywaySo there’s less bad behaviour and people get good marks in their SATs



28

They don’t have rewards at secondary school and they have worse behaviourIf you look out for people being good andteachers concentrate on it then kids willthink about being good more than beingbadThe bad ones will keep being bad so youshould concentrate on the good onesBecause people can carry on being bad butyou have to try hard to be goodNormally people don’t get treats all the time so if they’re good they should get somethingIt’s good if you’re good cos you get stickersIt will make all the naughty people behaveproperly

Punish bad behaviour 26 You don’t have to learn a lesson if you’re good but you’ve got to learn a lesson if you’re badIf you don’t do something about it, it’s just going to carry on and get worseThey’ll just carry on



29

Learning at school

What helps you learn well at school?Responses % CommentsFun lessons 42 Fun lessons where you don’t just sit down

and copy stuff like in science doing tests onthings

Better teachers 26Good books / equipment 16Sitting next to friends 5 I know that if I don’t get something I ask my

friends and they’ll help me get it rightAdults helping 5Learning centre 5

What stops you from learning?Responses % CommentsPeople messing about,talking, distracting me

72 If people talk tome I can’t do my work

Bad behaviour 14 If someone is messing about the teacherhas to stop teaching and that stops youfrom getting your educationPeople messing about and making theteacher stop to sort them out

Bullying 14 It stops me from concentrating on my work

What would help you learn better?Responses % CommentsNaughty children moved toanother room

38 People distracting me in class, if they gotmoved to a different class…and then they could have extra support and learningmentors to help then and then we could geton with our work tooThey could go and do the same work as usbut they’d have extra time to do it and have it explained and extra people to help themNaughty children sent to another room orsent home and punished more

Extra adults in class to help 21 Give you extra support…cos the teacher can’t really talk to each individual child if they’ve got a big class…and they could see the people causing the problems better

Better teachers 16 A teacher who pushes you to the limit tohelp you do your work and help you learnand to be in a class where there’s good people who get on with their workHave experts who know more about whatyou’re learning to help you so they’d make it sound more interesting and then it wouldseem easier and more fun



30

Sitting at single desks 12 If you sat at single desks you’d be close enough to ask your friend for help if you gotstuck but not close enough to sit chattingwhen you should be workingStop people from being naughty and if theychat then move them…so I could sit on myown so no-one could disturb me

No talking rule in class 8 If they talk then make them stand up andstop it

More books and betterequipment

4 So you don’t have to share books cos if you have to share with someone who messesabout you can’t do your work properlyBetter stuff to use to help you when you’re working

Working in a room on myown

1

Other comments:Sit in different seats…so girls should sit next to boys”

What do you think schools should do to help children atschool?CommentsStop giving us sugary foods…it’s down to us to choose but they could give us more things to choose from that we like…like at Safeway they have salad bowls they could do more stuff like thatGet support teachers in like for someone who’s dyslexic to help them readand write and sit next to them…who’s there all the timeGive out more prizes for good children



31

Children’s voices in school

Does your school have a school council?

Do you have a class rep?

91

9

Yes

No

80

20

Yes

No



32

How can you make your voice heard to the class rep or school council?

How do you find out about what your school council talks about?

What sort of things have been talked about by your school council?

Issue %New equipment 11Don’t know 10Playtime 10Toilets 8Football nets / pitch 7Playground 6Bullying / fighting 5New school being built 5

3229

21

9

52 1 1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

The

yas

km

e

We

doit

inci

rcle

time

Ital

kto

them

atpl

aytim

e

We

have

asu

gges

tions

box

The

yne

ver

ask

me

Ask

incl

ass

Cla

ssco

unci

l

I don’t

both

er

%o

fch

ildre

n

42

24

18

9

3 2 1 10

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Cla

ssre

pte

llsus

Sch

ool

new

slet

ter

Ass

embl

ies

Not

ice

boar

ds

Don

'tkn

ow

Tea

cher

s

Ask

them

Pla

ytim

e

%o

fch

ildre

n



33

Dining room 4School dinners 4Behaviour 4More computers 3Uniform 3More trees 3Wheelchair ramps 2School bus 2Safety 2Football boots 2Fund raising 1Sports day 1Carpet on corridors 1New books 1After school clubs 1Changing the school logo 1New doors 1Water fountain 1Bins outside 1Golden time 1Bike shed 1Newsletter 1Swimming pool 1Skateboarding 1

What has changed in your school because of what your school councilhas talked about?

Issue %Nothing 20Playground 14Sports hall / equipment 12Toilets 8Playtime 6New games 6Hitting and bullying 6School gates 4Uniform 4Dining room 3Classroom 3School dinners 2Climbing frame 2Flower bed / garden 2Tuck shop 2Wheelchair access 2School bell 2Teachers’ attitudes to children 1



34

Fresh fruit 1Planted trees 1More computers 1New books 1Tables 1Security door 1Outside door 1Bike shed 1

Do you think your school listens to what you have to say?

79

15

6

YesNoSometimes



35

After-school and holiday provision

What do you miss about school in the school holidays?

What would you want school to provide for you during the holidays?

47

20 18

11

4

05

101520253035404550

Friends Schoolwork

Nothing Playing /playtime

Teachers

%o

fch

ildre

n

28

22 22

16

42 2 2 2

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Trip

s

Sw

imm

ing

Pla

ysch

emes

Spo

rts

club

s

Foo

tbal

ltr

aini

ng&

mat

ches

Sho

win

gvi

deos

like

atth

epi

ctur

es

Com

pute

rcl

ub

Coo

king

club

Chu

rch

club

%o

fch

ildre

n

Have Your Say…about schools______________________________________________________________


36

Phase 2: Questionnaires

What did we do?

During the summer term, 2005, a number of schools across Sheffield wereapproached about being involved in a survey process involving Year 5 pupils.Six schools agreed to take part in the survey and the questionnaires werecompleted during June 2005. The following schools took part in the process:

School Number of pupilsAbbey Lane Primary School 58Arbourthorne Primary School 42Ballifield Primary School 49Monteney Primary School 43Nook Lane Junior School 54Springfield Primary School 22Total pupils 268

The pupils were asked to answer multiple choice questions on the followingissues:

You and your home School Feeling safe Bullying After-school activities Moving to secondary school Your feelings

The pupils’ responses provided the following results:



37


Talking about…you and your home

I am a…

The word that best describes me is

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Whi

teB

ritis

h

Mul

tiple

herit

age

Som

ali

Yem

eni

Pak

ista

ni

Whi

teIr

ish

Chi

nese

Am

eric

an

Car

ibbe

an

Japa

nese

Afr

ican

back

grou

nd

Whi

teE

urop

ean

Oth

er

%o

fch

ildre

n

52%48% boy

girl



38

Who looks after you most of the time?

Other responses:Mum and mummy

How many people live in your home other than you?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

mum and dadtogether

mostly mum mum and dadshared

mostly dad grandparents foster parents brother /sister

child minder

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

none one two three four five six seven eight nine ten eleven

number of people

%o

fch

ildre

n



39

What are the best things about living in your family?

Other responses:Celebrating birthdaysBeing a happy familyGetting taken to footballPlaying with cousinsPlaying on consoleMy pets

What would you change about your family?

Other responsesMum and dad together againTo have a brother and sisterSee Dad morePlay more football

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

being lookedafter

being loved being treated going out withfamily

brothers andsisters

talking withfamily

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

told off andpunished

go out moretogether

Mum and Dadthere more

not getting onwith siblings

shouting andarguing

nothing

%o

fch

ildre

n



40

How many bedrooms are there in your house?

Do you have any places in or near your home where you can go to bealone?

Do you have any places in or near your home where you can go to doreading and writing quietly?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2 bedrooms 3 bedrooms 4 bedrooms 5 bedrooms 6 bedrooms 7 bedrooms 8 bedrooms

%o

fch

ildre

n

68%

32%

yesno

60%

40%

yes

no



41

Do you have any places in or near your home where you can playoutside safely?

How much do you like the house where you live?

What are the best things about your home?

Other responses:GardenPetsFootballMum and DadFridge

83%

17%

yes

no

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

a lot quite a lot a bit not much

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

my room toys &games

friendsnearby

TV andvideo

nice placeto live

computer neighbours

%o

fch

ildre

n



42

What things would you like to change about your home?

What did you eat or drink before coming to school today?

Other responses:PancakesPizzaYoghurt

Where do you get water to drink at school?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

cleaner andtidier

bigger house biggergarden

bigger / ownroom

warmer nothing

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

brea

kfas

tba

rs

cere

al

choc

olat

e/

swee

ts

cook

edbr

eakf

ast

cris

ps

tea

/cof

fee

wat

er

milk

frui

t

juic

e

porr

ige

toas

t/br

ead

noth

ing

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

class waterbottles

own drinkingbottles

tap inclassroom

water fountain can't get any

%o

fch

ildre

n



43

How did you get to school today?

Other responses:TramTaxi

Talking about…school

How many lessons do you enjoy at school?

How often do your parents or carers ask you about your school day?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

walked car bike bus

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

all most half less thanhalf

hardly any none

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

all the time sometimes hardly ever never

%o

fch

ildre

n



44

Are you happy at school?

How well do you get on with people at school?

What are the best things about your school?

05

1015202530354045

very happy quite happy not veryhappy

not at allhappy

not sure

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

teachers headteacher

lunchtimesupervisor

classroomassistant

learningmentor

schoolnurse

friends otherpupils

%o

fch

ildre

n

very wellquite wellnot very well

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

favouritesubjects

playtimes schoolclubs

seeingfriends

sports andPE

teachers

%o

fch

ildre

n



45

If you needed to talk to someone at school, who would it be?

What things would you like to change about your school?

Other responses:Shorter daysMore playtimeBetter behaviourClimbing frame

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

friend headteacher

learningmentor

lunchtimesupervisor

no-one schoolnurse

teacher parents

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

5

10

15

20

25

bette

rm

eals

bigg

erpl

aygr

ound

less

borin

gsu

bjec

ts

dinn

erla

dies

mor

efu

n

mor

ehe

lpw

hen

you

don'

tun

ders

tand

mor

eto

doat

play

time

teac

hers

shou

ting

less

pupi

lslis

tene

dto

mor

e noth

ing

%o

fch

ildre

n



46

What helps you learn at school?

Other responses:Fun lessonsSitting at tables you choosePeace and quietInteractive whiteboardFriendsHelpers

How well do you think you doin…

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

computersin class

goodequipment

learningmentors

teachers tidyclassroom

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

maths literacy science games art

%o

fch

ildre

n

Could do betterOKVery well



47

What might help you more in…?

Do you have a school council?

Do you think your class council rep is good at telling the school councilwhat you think?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

maths literacy science games art

%o

fch

ildre

n

Adults

Equipment

More time

Older pupilshelping

Something else

96%

4%

yes

no

82%

18%

yes

no



48

Do things happen in your school because of what your school counciltalk about?

If you don’t have a school council, how can you tell people what you think?

If you have them in your school, do you think the following are a goodidea or not?

80%

20%

yes

no

62%

25%

13%

suggestion box

notice board

newsletters

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

playgroundfriends

office duties lunchtime jobs showing visitorsround

%o

fch

ildre

n

Good idea

Not good idea

Don't know



49

Do you feel part of what happens in school?

Talking about…feeling safe

Are you allowed to play outside in the streets, parks or play areas?

49%

17%

34%

yes

no

don't know

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Whenever I want Sometimes Never

%o

fch

ildre

n with parent /carer

with friends

on my own



50

If you don’t play outside much, why not?

Other responses:Rather play on PS2 / XboxNothing to play onRather readRather watch TVGroundedCan’t be bothered

Do you feel safe when…

35%

40%

25%danger of traffic

don't feel safebecause of otherpeople

parents / carerswon't let me

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

on way toschool

at school on way homefrom school

going out afterdark

going outduring the day

%o

fch

ildre

n

Yes

Sometimes

No



51

What things would you like to change about safety in your area?

Other responses:Suspicious behaviour by hooded peopleNo burglarsSafe from dogsNo motorbikesLess bulliesNo drunk peopleMore speed bumps

Talking about…bullying

Have any of these things happened to you more than once in the last 4weeks?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

less traffic more roadcrossings

policearound more

safe fromolder

teenagers

safe fromother people

nothing

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

asked formoney

ganged upon

teased ormade fun of

threatenedfor noreason

called nastynames

had thingstaken

pushed or hitfor noreason

%o

fch

ildre

n



52

Where did this happen?

Who would you talk to at school if you were being bullied?

Other responses:School nurse

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

at or nearhome

during lessontime

classroom atplaytime

schoolcorridor or

toilets

outside atplaytime

park or playarea

on way to orfrom school

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

classroomassistant

headteacher

learningmentor

lunchtimesupervisor

teacher friend family no-one

%o

fch

ildre

n



53

What happens in your school if someone is being bullied?

Other responses:Miss playtimeMiss golden timeTeacher in charge of talking to bullies deals with itBully told off by teacherBully is namedBully told not to do it again

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

bully isexpelled

head sendsletter home

head talks tobully's parents

nothing don't know

%o

fch

lidre

n



54

Talking about…after-school activities

What after schools clubs do you go to?

Other responses:Street danceChessGymnasticsHomeworkGardening

SpanishHockeyCricketBowlsSambaLunch club

How good are after school clubs you go to?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

art drama football music /singing

afterschoolclub

recorder sportclub

no clubsat school

%o

fch

ildre

n

55%34%

11%

very good

OK

not verygood



55

Do you think there should be more after school clubs?

What other clubs would you like?

Art Gymnastics BasketballTennis Football AthleticsCricket Rugby DramaDance Chess RoundersClimbing Sports GolfIce hockey Choir singing Fashion/ beautyHomework Gardening HistorySwimming Languages CyclingGaming Computer / PS2 / Xbox HockeyCooking Badminton TrampolineScience Conflict resolution SnookerMaths Netball Table tennis

Talking about…moving to secondary school

Are you looking forward to secondary school?

59%

41%

yes

no

60%

40%

yes

no



56

What are you most looking forward to about going to secondary school?

Other responses:Seeing my brother / family membersSweet shopsGoing home / out for dinnerVending machinesGetting nearer to the job I wantBetter school mealsOther clubsHaving my own thingsSwimming poolSeeing old friendsDissecting

What are you least looking forward to about going to secondary school?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

being bullied getting lost more tests teachersshouting

work might betoo hard

%o

fch

ildre

n

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

learning newthings

making newfriends

new teachers more excitingthings to do

school trips

%o

fch

ildre

n



57

Other responses:Getting detentionInjectionsHaving to bring my own thingsMore homeworkCarrying my bag all the time

Talking about…your feelings

How happy do you feel most of the time?

When you have something to say in front of teachers, do you feelworried or scared?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

very happy quite happy not sure not veryhappy

very unhappy

%o

fch

ildre

n

29%

37%

34%yes

no

don'tknow



58

Do other pupils in school fall out with you a lot?

Do you feel lonely at school?

Do you think the other children often say nasty things about you?

24%

53%

23%

yes

no

don'tknow

20%

61%

19%

yesnodon't know

27%

33%

40%yes

no

don't know



59

When you want to tell an adult something do you usually feel shy?

Do you think adults listen to you when you when you tell themsomething?

38%

45%

17%

yes

no

don't know

38%

45%

17%

yes

no

don't know



60

Phase 3: Focus Groups

What did we do?

Two small groups of Year 5 pupils, including seven children fromArbourthorne Primary School and seven from Springfield Primary School,were invited to take part in focus group sessions to look at issues around theirschool.

The children were given digital cameras and dictaphones to record thingsaround their school that were important to them. The children were asked tothink about what helped and hindered them in their learning and anything elsethat they considered important to their learning and school life.

The photographs and accompanying comments are recorded below:



61


Arbourthorne Primary School

My classroom is my favourite placeto go in school. It’s where my friends are.

Our classroom is a really good placeto learn.

Our teachers are really good andhelp us learn.

These boards make lessons moreinteresting. We should have one inevery classroom.

I think I learn best in here. It’s different to being in the classroom, itmakes it more interesting. I wish wecould be in here more often.

It’s my favourite place to learn in school.

We can get books from here andread them. There’s lots of books so we have lots to choose from.

People can write or do tests in quietin the library. It’s a nice quiet place to do your work.



62

We’re doing Macbeth for our school play. It’s fun to do something different from just sat in theclassroom. These people makereally good costumes.

We really enjoy doing different work.

We have cooking lessons in here.It’s a lot better to learn about things when you can do them instead ofreading about them in a boring book.

It’s nice to see what other classes are doing.

It’s relaxing to have bits of garden inthe school. It helps you learn betterwhen you’re relaxed.



63

It brings nature into school and wecan learn about it and see it insteadof looking at it in books.

The nursery children play here.There lots of little toys for them toplay with. They’re safe to play here and they don’t get knocked over by bigger children running about.

The infants is the best place to learn,you do loads of really fun stuff.

Our playground is my favourite placein school cos I can play with myfriends and have fun.

I love our new playground, there’s loads more to do at playtime anddinner time so people don’t cause as much trouble as before.

We can play cricket at playtimes. It’s fun and everyone can learn how toplay.



64

The playground is where we havefun and games.

It helps you have a better day whenyou get back in the classroom.

The best thing about playtime ishaving time to talk to my friends soit’s a good idea to have somewhere where we can sit quietly if we don’t want to run around all the time.

These benches look really nice.

There should be more bins roundschool to stop people throwing litteron the floor. It makes school looknicer and makes me like coming toschool.

We get fruit delivered to our classes.It’s good for us to be healthy.



65

This is outside where you go whenyou’re sick. People can enjoy looking at it when they’re poorly and it might make them feel better.

Springfield Primary School

I think this looks really good, it makesme proud of my school.

Children from other schools come tosee our Victorian classroom. Itmakes us really proud of our school.

When we get visitors to school itmakes people behave better.



66

This map shows where our schoolwas and where children lived inVictorian times. It’s really interesting to learn about it.

Even maths is more fun in theVictorian classroom.

These animals are in our Victorianclassroom. You can go and seethem really close up and touch them.

In our computer room we can learnhow to use a computer and akeyboard. It’s a good place to go for lessons.



67

These maps help you learn whereplaces are in the world. They’re really bright and colourful.

This is a fun place for youngerchildren to learn.

This is our community room. It’s for adults to come and use but wesometimes have lessons in it too, likemusic lessons. It’s a nice, big room and I like coming in here for lessons.

The climbing frame is fun. I likewatching people play on it. It’s good to get some fresh air and meet yourfriends after working hard all morninginside.

If you don’t want to play football or basketball you can climb. Peopleused to get bored of playing thesame games before the climbingframe was there.



68

This is our school football team. Meand my friends are on the picturetogether. It makes me feel reallyproud when I see it on the wall inschool

In the nursery playground the littlechildren can learn to play get alongwith each other and be safe. It’s good for them to see the light of day.

This is the equipment in our PEcupboard. We learn how to use allthe different equipment and get toplay with it.

This is our head teacher’s office. She tells us what’s right and wrong.

Our head teacher is someone youcan talk to if you’re upset or if someone’s bullying you.



69

This is the dining room where we eatat lunchtime. We learn what weshould eat and how to eat.

Our school helps us learn abouthealthy eating.

It’s good for parents to be able to find out about what we’re doing and about trips and stuff.

come and play come and play have your have your say say

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