Student participation in Irish primary schools

Figures & data

Table

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Total
1. Teachers encourage students to speak in class	20 (16%)	83 (66.4%)	20 (16%)	2 (1.6%)	125 (100%)
2. Students are taught how to speak and listen to others respectfully.	67 (53.6%)	52 (41.6%)	3 (2.4%)	3 (2.4%)	125 (100%)
3. I have become more confident to speak out in class.	34 (27.2%)	49 (39.2%)	32 (25.6%)	10 (8%)	125 (100%)
4. I get opportunities to work with other students in class	39 (31.2%)	73 (58.4%)	12 (9.6%)	1 (0.8%)	125 (100%)
5. I usually do not speak much in class.	15 (12%)	36 (28.8%)	39 (31.2%)	35 (28%)	125 (100%)
6. Students usually don’t speak much in class.	5 (4%)	9 (7.2%)	43 (34.4%)	68 (54.4%)	125 (100%)
7. My work is displayed in the classroom /school.	43 (34.4%)	62 (49.6%)	15 (12%)	5 (4%)	125 (100%)
8. I am asked to answer questions in class.	29 (23.2%)	70 (58.4%)	20 (16%)	3 (2.4%)	125 (100%)
9. My teachers asks my opinion in class.	17 (13.6%)	66 (52.8%)	35 (28%)	7 (5.6%)	125 (100%)
10. I normally take part in classroom activities.	35 (28%)	70 (56%)	17 (13.6%)	3 (2.4%)	125 (100%)
11. I take part in group discussions in my class.	33 (26.4%)	60 (48%)	26 (20.8%)	6 (4.8%)	125 (100%)
12. I like to be asked for my opinion in class.	21 (16.8%)	52 (41.6%)	35 (28%)	17 (13.6%)	125 (100%)
13. Students usually get to say what they think about how classrooms are organised.	9 (7.2%)	32 (25.6%)	56 (44.8%)	28 (22.4%)	125 (100%)
14. Students usually get to say what they think about how they learn best	14 (11.2%)	52 (41.6%)	34 (27.2%)	25 (20%)	125 (100%)
15. Students usually get to say what they think about how they are taught.	11 (8.%8)	43 (34.4%)	45 (36%)	26 (20.8%)	125 (100%)
16. Students often get to choose activities in class.	13 (10.4%)	41 (32,8%)	48 (38.4%)	23 (18.4%)	125 (100%)
17. Students usually get to say what they think of the classroom rules.	6 (4.8%)	31 (24.8%)	49 (39.2%)	39 (31.2%)	125 (100%)
18. In class, student opinions are listened to by teachers.	29 (23.2%)	71 (56.8%)	20 (16%)	5 (4%)	125 (100%)
19. In class, student opinion is considered by teachers	18 (14.4%)	62 (49.6%)	30 (24%)	15 (12%)	125 (100%)
20. The opinions of students makes things change in class.	13 (10.4%)	52 (41.6%)	43 (34.4%)	17 (13.5%)	125 (100%)

Table

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Total
1. Students have opportunities to get involved in different activities/ events, outside of class.	45 (36%)	64 (51.2%)	12 (9.6%)	4 (3.2%)	125 (100%)
2. I have had opportunities to get involved in different activities/ events, outside of class.	44 (35.2%)	58 (46.4%)	18 (14.4%)	5 (4%)	125 (100%)
3. I have had opportunities to lead projects in the school.	13 (10.4%)	37 (29.6%)	49 (39.24%)	26 (20.8%)	125 (100%)
4. I have been involved in a school campaign.	28 (22.4%)	34 (27.2%)	36 (28.8%)	27 (21.6%)	125 (100%)
5. I have been involved in the Student Council/ Union.	18 (14.4%)	12 (9.6%)	37 (29.6%)	58 (46.4%)	125 (100%)
6. I have been on a school committee.	13 (10.4%)	17 (13.6%)	34 (27.2%)	61 (48.8%)	125 (100%)
7. I have represented my school in some activity or competition.	36 (28.8%)	32 (25.6%)	24 (19.2%)	33 (26.4%)	125 (100%)
8. I have spoken or performed at a school event.	36 (28.8%)	43 (34.4%)	32 (25.6%)	14 (25.6%)	125 (100%)
9. The school has clubs for students to become involved in outside of class.	42 (33.6%)	33 (26.4%)	29 (23.2%)	21 (16.8%)	125 (100%)
10. I am involved in a club or team in my school.	31 (24.8%)	23 (18.4%)	38 (30.4%)	33 (26.4%)	125 (100%)
11. The school provides opportunities for students to play on school sports teams.	40 (32%)	52 (41.6%)	21 (16.8%)	12 (9.6%)	125 (100%)
12. I am not interested in joining any club or team in my school.	13 (10.4%)	19 (15.2%)	31 (24.8%)	62 (49.6%)	125 (100%)
13. The school does not have clubs or teams that reflect my interests.	26 (20.8%)	22 (17.6%)	36 (28.8%)	41 (32.8%)	125 (100%)

Table

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Total
1. The school actively seeks student opinion when making a decision about something that will affect students.	11 (8.8%)	62 (49.6%)	33 (26.4%)	19 (15.2%)	125 (100%)
2. Student opinion influences decisions made by the school.	14 (11.2%)	56 (44.8%)	34 (27.2%)	21 (16.8%)	125 (100%)
3. Students are involved in the school self-evaluation process in the school.	11 (8.8%)	43 (34.4%)	51 (40.8%)	20 (16%)	125 (100%)
4. When students are asked their opinion, the school Principal is made aware of what students have said.	12 (9.6%)	44 (35.2%)	42 (33.6%)	27 (21.6%)	125 (100%)
5. When students are asked their opinion, the school lets them know how the students’ opinion has influenced decisions in the school.	11 (8.8%)	49 (39.2%)	39 (31,2%)	26 (20.8%)	125 (100%)
6. When students complete a survey for the school, students get to find out the overall feedback received from students.	15 (12%)	39 (31.2%)	49 (39.2%)	22 (17.6%)	125 (100%)
7. The school provides a safe space in which students can express themselves freely.	36 (28.8%)	37 (29.6%)	29 (23.2%)	23 (18.4%)	125 (100%)
8. Students often get to speak to people in charge of the school (Principal or Deputy Principal).	13 (10.4%)	29 (23.2%)	39 (31.2%)	44 (35.2%)	125 (100%)
9. Students know who to talk to if they have a concern about the school.	42 (33.6%)	57 (45.6%)	19 (15.2%)	7 (5.6%)	125 (100%)
10. Staff take students’ opinions seriously.	18 (14.4%)	48 (38.4%)	41 (32.8%)	18 (14.4%)	125 (100%)
11. Students work together outside of class time to get things changed at school.	9 (7.2%)	57 (45.6%)	33 (26.4%)	26 (20.8%)	125 (100%)
12. Students make decisions in meetings with teachers about how things will happen in the school.	26 (20.8%)	60 (48%)	19 (15.2%)	20 (16%)	125 (100%)
13. Students influence important decisions made in the school	8 (6.4%)	68 (54.4%)	34 (27.2%)	15 (12%)	125 (100%)
14. I am aware of the work of the Student Council.	28 (22.2%)	59 (47.2%)	28 (22.4%)	10 (8%)	125 (100%)
15. The Student Council asks students what they think about different issues.	31 (24.8%)	45 (36%)	34 (27.2%)	13 (10.4%)	125 (100%)
16. Students meet with staff about the running of the school.	13 (10.4%)	33 (26.4%)	47 (37.6%)	32 (25.6%)	125 (100%)
17. There is a procedure in place in the school to ensure that student opinion is taken seriously.	14 (11.2%)	49 (39.2%)	43 (34.4%)	19 (15.2%)	125 (100%)
18. Students influence school policies.	15 (12%)	49 (39.2%)	35 (28%)	26 (20.8%)	125 (100%)
19. All students in the school have a way to have their opinion heard on matters that affect them.	12 (9.6%)	64 (51.2%)	36 (28.8%)	13 (10.4%)	125 (100%)
20. The school gives feedback to students explaining decisions taken.	23 (18.4%)	60 (48%)	30 (24%)	12 (9.6%)	125 (100%)

Data availability statement

The participants of this study did not give written consent for their data to be shared publicly, so due to the sensitive nature of the research supporting data is not available.