Citation

Leach T, Lewis E. Pastor. Care Educ. 2013; 31(1): 43-52.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1080/02643944.2012.702781

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The concept of pupil voice is widely employed in research from across the world when claiming children and young people have a genuine, legitimate right to be heard on matters they consider important, and when considering ways of engaging them as important "influencers" of policy and decision-making. This article is concerned with problematic issues around power and pupil voice during circle-time. It is argued that the space in which children and young people are "allowed" a voice is prescribed by adults and is frequently located within interventions for improving schools, pupil behaviour and promoting their social and emotional development. Based on a rigorous analysis of the findings from a small case study about children's experiences during circle-time, and using the concepts of social identity and social representation, this article highlights the dangers of inadvertently creating a climate within which children can feel isolated and threatened, and bullying can thrive. Increasingly, it would seem children are being invited and expected to reveal things in circle-time that will need careful and experienced handling from the point of safeguarding the child's well-being, offering the required support and ensuring the child's protection and confidentiality. It is argued these findings highlight the need for a robust research-informed debate about children's lived experiences during circle-time, and the impact of those experiences in terms of children's identities and self-esteem.

Language: en