Student Voice is an area that is being highlighted by many schools at the moment. Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992, and it is fair to say that until recently schools in Ireland have largely met their obligations by ensuring they had a Student Council.

In a schooling system that is highly centralised and dominated by the effects of a highstakes public examination (the Leaving Certificate), A Framework For Junior Cycle, launched by Minister Ruairí Quinn TD in October 2012, represents a significant and exciting departure from the existing Junior Certificate. The opportunities it offers are documented in the Framework document (DES 2012).