At Copleston, we believe that students flourish when given the opportunity to lead and to act as role models to younger students. For a number of years, we have successfully run the Student Leader Programme, allowing students in Year 11 to be given specific roles and responsibilities around school. Each year, we have approximately 80 Student Leaders. They are divided into ten teams, with each team being led by a Student Prefect. They are easily identified by their jumpers, with Student Leaders wearing blue and the Prefects wearing black.
Throughout the year, all Student Leaders are given the chance to support different events across school both during the school day and later. This can include helping at Parents Evenings, Information Evenings, Lunch Time Clubs and Charity Events, to name just a few. One of the biggest responsibilities is in helping the Year 6s during Induction Days, helping to make the transition from Primary to Secondary School as smooth as possible. To support new students with this, a group of Student Leaders help the students with moving around school in their first two weeks. After this time, the Student Leaders are a familiar face around school, and many Year 7s will continue to see them either in lunchtime clubs that they may be running or in other aspects of school life such as charity events or School Council.
Most of our Student Leaders are involved in extra-curricular activities including sport, dance, music, art and drama. They show a willingness to become fully immersed in school life, and are proud of their school. They demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour and uniform, and have a positive attitude towards their studies. They are reliable and good at time management, forming positive relationship with students and staff. This year, we have also opened up the programme to include Sixth Form Students. We currently have 10 Senior Prefects from Year 12, who regularly liaise with Team Six (including the Head Boy and Girl) and the Year 11 Student Leaders, creating a bridge between the Main School and Sixth Form.
By representing the school, the students are given opportunities to practise and showcase new skills that they are developing, such as mentoring, self-confidence, public speaking, team building, collaborative working and problem solving. These skills are incredibly important for future employers and further education, and students are encouraged to use these examples for Sixth Form and College applications. We are incredibly proud of all of our Student Leaders and are grateful for the contribution they make to life at Copleston. They inspire younger students to reach this level when they become Year 11.
Cake sale organised by the Student Leaders/School Council for the NHS 75th Birthday ‘Big Tea’. July 2023:
