Schools across Coventry are taking part in the Coventry One Big Voice Survey, giving thousands of children and young people the chance to share their views and experiences of growing up in the city.
The survey is being rolled out to pupils in Years 4, 6, 8 and 10, with schools receiving their survey packs throughout the week.
This work forms a key part of Coventry’s Child Friendly Cov ambition, supported by Coventry City Council and delivered in collaboration with local partners, organisations and businesses, alongside the city’s schools.
The survey helps ensure that the voices of children and young people are central to shaping the decisions, priorities and services that affect their lives.
Developed with colleagues from the University of Warwick and Coventry University, the survey has been co-designed with children and young people to make sure the questions are clear, relevant and age-appropriate. All responses are anonymous and will be independently analysed by Coventry University.
Each school will receive a summary of its own results alongside a city-wide report shared across the Child Friendly Cov partnership.
The last One Big Voice Survey, carried out in 2023, gathered thousands of responses and led to new Child Friendly Cov initiatives such as the Safe Space project delivered with West Midlands Police.
This year’s survey aims to build on that impact, giving Coventry City Council and its partners an even fuller picture of what matters most to children and young people.
Cllr Patricia Seaman, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Coventry works very hard to be a child-friendly city, with lots of dedicated people helping to put children and families at the heart of all we do – and to do that work, it is essential that we talk to our children and young people and find out what is important to them.
“This survey will help us hear about the things that matter in their young lives and how we can give them the best possible start in life.”
Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “Through working with our schools, we can reach thousands of young people to let them know they have a voice and we will listen.
“We are looking forward to finding out their views and then working with them, and with our partners across the city to take the next steps in our ongoing journey to be a leading child-friendly city where all children and young people feel they belong, are valued and safe.”
Andreas Michael, Business Development Lead, Barr’s Hill Secondary School said: “Our pupils were proud to support this year’s One Big Voice survey because they know how important it is that young people are listened to. This survey gives them a genuine voice to help shape the future of the city, and we are very pleased to be involved.”