1. Aims:
• To offer a range of roles and responsibilities to a large number of student population.
• To promote active citizenship by establishing functioning democratic bodies with real influence.
• To develop staff: student dialogue, especially around teaching and learning.
• To deepen student engagement.
• To contribute to whole school improvement.
2. Overview
The role of the students in the life of the school is vital if we are to become a thriving and high performing school which speaks for all its students. There will be a range of opportunities for students to contribute to the well being and development of the school at all stages of their career and support the leadership potential of the VT system. Students will be encouraged to contribute formally and informally in a number of ways and through a variety of democratic structures. All roles on student leadership will be advertised and students will be allowed to apply for positions of responsibility at various stages in the academic year.
3. Roles within student leadership
Student Senate
The Student Senate will be the highest body and voice for students and it will meet once every half term. Composition of this senate will be 2 elected representatives of all the other student bodies and this senate will be chaired by an Assistant Head teacher. The main role of this body will be to report and record progress of all the individual student bodies and to lead all student leadership on strategic planning and whole school improvement issues.
Student Council
This will be a democratically elected body which will be composed of one representative from each tutor group. It will be the main forum for student voice on general issues relevant to students. It will meet on a fort-nightly basis with the support of an Assistant Head teacher or a designated DHOC or CPM. There is an elected chair, vice chair, secretary and deputy secretary. It will potentially have access to its own funds which it can use as it and the students today see fit for the benefits of all students at the School. Student council will meet in college teams.
Student Leaders
All post 16 students apply for and are given posts of responsibility within the school. There is a Head Boy/Girl and Vice Head boy/Girl who are appointed following hustings and interviews with the Head of sixth form and the Head teacher. College Captains are also selected from post 16 applicants (These roles would not come into operation until the 6th form has been established)
Peer Mediators
Peer mediators will be sought from amongst potential year 10 students. Their role will be publicised to all students and they will work in pairs to resolve social relationship difficulties amongst students. This group will receive mediation training in conflict resolution and will be used by the school in the first instance to resolve student disputes. Peer Mediators will be college based and a resource for CPMs and DHOCs to use to support colleges.
Peer Mentors
Peer mentors will be sought from amongst year 9 and 10 students. Their role ill be to act as mentors/buddies to year 7 students in their first year or any vulnerable students identified by the school as needing peer mentors. This group will receive mentoring training (Harmony) and will meet up with their mentees on a weekly basis during PLS to carry out the mentoring sessions. Peer Mentors will be college based and a resource for CPMs and DHOCs to use to support colleges.
Charity Team
This group will lead the school in terms of raising awareness of Local and National charity events and will adopt a chosen charity each year and organise events to raise funds, for that charity. Students on this body will ensure that all students are aware of National events like Children in Need, Red Nose day and plan events accordingly. Supported by a nominated teacher and linked with year 8 CHOICE option.
Junior Sports Leaders
Students on the Junior Sports Leader Award Programme work alongside adults in Primary Schools through the Sports Partnership Programme.
Student Librarians
This group of students will be trained to support the LRC in all its work and will receive training from LRC staff. Roles will include working at LRC reception in the mornings, break, lunch-times and after school. They will play an active part in maintaining order in the LRC and will also act as the publicity hub for any LRC activities for students.
Student Ambassadors
Student ambassadors will be called upon during the year for parents’ evenings, open days, and tour guides. There primary role will be to act as good publicists for the school and to support the school in the management of whole school events. The will receive appropriate training tailored to the event that they will support. This will be the biggest student body and all students should be encouraged to become TES ambassadors.
Sports Leaders
Primary role of this body is to encourage students to be active. This group will organise lunch time games and activities and raises funds to purchase sports equipment that students can use or borrow. This group will also organise some weekend activities to engage students and work closely with the PE department in organizing sports fixtures and enrichment activities. To be a member of this group, students need to show an interest in and aptitude for an aspect of sport or physical education in some capacity.
Student Researchers
This body of students will be responsible for fact finding and information gathering. They will be used by the school/ or student body to carry out research on a wide range of topics ranging from school dinners, punctuality, travel plans and impact of school initiatives on the school community. This group will also receive research specific training to underpin their work; they will also be used to work on particular projects / in particular departments.
Student Interviewers
This body of students will be responsible for interviewing all new members of staff at TES and will make a recommendation to interview panel. For any role advertise which involves an adult working with students the interview panel must be given an opportunity to vet the prospective candidates. This group will also receive specific training to ensure that there is depth and substances to their work.
Student Observers
This body of students will be responsible for looking at Teaching and Learning across the school. They will be used to observe their particular lessons and also lessons that they are not involved in. They will be required to make judgments on lessons and will grade lessons within OFSTED frame work to make their work relevant. This body will also be invited to curriculum meetings to feedback findings to different departments. This group will also receive lesson observation specific training and use specially designed pro-formas to record their findings. Eventually teaching staff will be able to request a student observation and feedback of that observation will be made directly to the teacher being observed.
Prefects
Prefects will be chosen through the college system with the aim of every college having 10 senior and 10 junior prefects with a range of responsibilities ranging from helping line ups during assemblies, fire drills etc. They will also help enforce positive behavior around the school and be vigilant on ensuring litter and gum don’t become issues and these students will ensure that the fabric of the building is not abused. They will have the power to record and report to teacher’s any misbehavior witnessed and will need to be seen as positive role models themselves in their everyday interactions at TES.
Lunch time monitors
Lunch time monitors will work in the school restaurant during break and lunch times with the specific job of supervision and ensuring trays are returned by students and that students are not jumping the lines when entering the restaurant. They will be high visibility at all times and speak to students about the reasons for looking after the restaurant in a calm manner.
Student receptionists
These students will be used by the reception staff to help deliver messages and move packages around the school. They will be required to sit on a student reception desk and will be expected to represent the student body in a positive manner at all times. (I am open to the idea of every student having a full day as student reception but not in year 10 or 11)