THE VOICE OF THE PUPIL

Since 2005, Salford City Academy has been listening to the opinions of its students through its Students Voice Programme. On Tuesday night, those voices were heard loud and clear when 17 children visited Old Trafford for Manchester United's Carling Cup Semi-Final Second Leg against Derby County.

 

The trip came about as a result of regular School Council meetings - a feature of the Student Voice Programme at the Academy. At these meetings Julie Larkinson and other teachers were made aware of a number of pupils disgruntled with their lack of opportunity to go on school trips.

 

Four students from each year and house were selected for Tuesday's reward trip to Manchester United. Selected pupils were delighted to be chosen when told last Wednesday.

 

"The students were over the moon when they found out," said Julie. "Especially as most of them are Manchester United fans who have never been to a game."

 

Their joy was compounded further by the surprise news they would be presented with special edition track suits (see picture) - to be worn during the game - before carrying the huge ‘One United' banner which covers the centre circle before kick-off.

 

Parents watched eagerly from their sofas as their children paraded around the ‘Theatre of Dreams' with the circle-shaped banner. Once their performance was over the excited group retired to the family stand to watch, what turned out to be a fantastic game, especially as United won through to the Wembley final with a 4-2 win.

 

"The Student Voice Programme has been instrumental in rewarding our pupils for possessing a desire to work hard and progress themselves. By listening to students' concerns we have been able to expose more of them to inspirational extra-curricular learning and that can only be a good thing for them as individuals and the Academy as a whole," added Julie.