Student participation in the education policy debate in Brazil has a long history, albeit focused mainly at the university level. In secondary schools (students aged 14-17) participation has been much more patchy and with variable results. The gremio associations (similar to student councils in the UK) are the main pathway to student voice within schools and the main link to the principal. However, evidence of their efficacy in dealing with issues of democratic participation is very much dependent upon the efficiency of the dialogue between senior management team and the students themselves. (Contains 4 notes.)