National Student Forum: Annual Report

The ask

The struggle to be heard. Having grown up in a school system where they have little direct input into policy affecting their study lives, students reaching higher education now have a voice – one actually acknowledged and considered. To help them speak directly to government, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills set up the National Student Forum. And we were asked to produce its inaugural Annual Report.

The task

Our most important consideration was to ensure that what was discussed and agreed by students did not get lost in a swathe of information. This would have defeated the purpose of the Forum. So we designed the Annual Report of the first Forum – a report of minutes, subgroup discussions, background proceedings, forums, working groups, resolutions and policy recommendations – with the emphasis on ease-of-navigation. In an instant, Ministers, government department personnel, and the media could locate relevant subject matter. So students’ voices could truly be heard – the first and most vital step towards action.

The proof

The Government made a formal response to the Annual Report, recognising its relevance and congratulating its innovative thinking. Some recommendations were acted upon immediately, others formalised as part of longer-term reviews, and still others sent to committee. As the Annual Report was the interface between the Government and the students, it’s safe to state that it played a large role in establishing this relationship. And for students? Their voice is now coming through loud and clear.

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