Pupils at Co-op Academy Rathbone are taking the lead on inclusion, with Pupil Prime Minister Cayden and his Advisor for Inclusion James driving a new project to help every young person feel understood and supported.

The pair are working with Jack, Curriculum and Pupil Development Leader, to design a new British Sign Language (BSL) poster for the academy. They’ll soon pitch their ideas to the Trust’s Branding and Marketing Team. Their aim is simple: to help more pupils and staff learn everyday signs and raise awareness of the communication barriers faced by some members of the school community.

Their motivation comes from classmates who use alternative ways to communicate, and from a family member who relies on BSL. Cayden and James want the academy to be a place where everyone feels included.

From January 2026, James will also teach one new BSL sign each week to pupils and staff. This small, steady step will help build confidence across the academy and make BSL part of everyday school life.

Their efforts sit alongside the wider work of the Pupil Parliament, who have already raised funds for new outdoor sports equipment, designed plans for a fruit, veg and sensory garden, and begun looking at how to improve trips and visits across the year. From early 2026, the academy also hopes to welcome the Prime Minister and Ministers to part of the ACC meetings, giving pupils a direct voice in shaping school life.

Co-op Academy Rathbone is proud of the commitment the Pupil Parliament shows to the Trust’s Ways of Being. Their ideas, teamwork and care for others continue to make a positive difference.