This thesis reports the results of a single site case study conducted in Barracks High School, a comprehensive High School in metropolitan Sydney. The focus of the study was the relationship between student participation and school context in Barracks High. Underpinning the study is the notion of 'meaningful' participation: that is, participation by students that has real meaning to them, to teachers, and for the real work of the school. This notion is explored in the review of related literature, and in the results of the study as they are presented in the thesis. The study involved persistent researcher engagement in school life, leading at times to forms of 'intervention research'.A highlight of the research was the identification and dissemination by the researcher of participant 'voices' within Barracks High as a means of drawing attention to participation issues in the school. The study found that contextual dimensions at Barracks High operated at a ratio of two to one against the achievement of meaningful forms of student participation. The thesis concludes by suggesting that complex problems require holistic solutions, and suggests a framework of principles and strategies for building meaningful participation in schools / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)