Student Leadership

Leadership Ladder

The student leadership ladder has been designed to help students get involved in all elements of the school. It helps students demonstrate the school’s 5 Rs as well as gain valuable skills and experience for later life. Even if students don’t think they want to become a leader, skills such as strategic thinking, planning and deliver, people management (including themselves), change management, communication and influencing are skills which many employers value.

The ladder has been split into 4 levels, bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Students need to complete a variety of leadership challenges from the list at each level – collecting evidence to create a portfolio. The levels need to be completed in order. Each level can be awarded at four different honour classes: 1st Class Honours, Upper 2nd Class Honours, Lower Second Class honours and 3rd Class Honours.

 When a student has completed one of the criteria for a level, they need to collect appropriate evidence and ask an adult involved to sign and date your evidence. In an appropriate tutorial they then need to show their tutor the evidence for the tutor to sign and date that criteria. Once they have completed enough of the criteria to earn the leadership award they need to take the portfolio of evidence to the student development office for submission. Submissions for leadership levels are then assessed by the student development team and by senior students once every half term.  Leadership level awards are made in the next rewards assembly.

The criteria for the four leadership levels can be found here

Leadership Roles

There are many opportunities to take formal leadership roles in school. These roles can be in a specific area (e.g. librarian) or be part of the student body leadership. Roles available in the whole school leadership are: Form representative (two per form from all years), senior student (23 positions available to Y9 and Y10), deputy head boy and deputy head girl (available to Y10), head boy and head girl (available to Y11). Form representatives are elected in tutorial time and positions are held for 1 year. Applications for other student leadership positions are open from the beginning of the summer term. These roles are appointed in the summer term to allow training to take place and last for 1 year. More information can be found at the back of this booklet.

At New Mills School we believe that earning and carrying out a leadership role within school helps students develop skills for their futures. Leadership skills and responsibility are promoted through the adoption of a number of roles across the school. All those in such roles can be identified by the badges that they proudly wear:

Head Boy and Head Girl 

Students nominate and vote for a Head Boy and Head Girl from Year 11 who represent the school at events and are ambassadors to the younger students in school. For 2019-20 our Head Boy is Tom Whaites and our Head Girl is Bea Dean.

Senior Students

Year 10 &11 students support the discipline of their peers and younger students in the dining hall during the lunch hour, helping the smooth running of systems. They act as role models to younger students. Each senior student is a member of the school council and assists in running sub-comittees.

Anti-Bullying Ambassadors

Students from across the year groups have been trained to identify and support other students who might be being bullied. Their role is to ensure that incidents are reported and dealt with and any victims are supported appropriately.

Buddy Readers

Students in Year 10 help students in Year 8 who need support with their reading. The Accelerated Reader scheme enables students to test their understanding and the support offered by the older students can help build skills and confidence.

Sports Leaders

Year 9 students have the opportunity to develop and practise their leadership skills through sport, supporting primary school activities throughout the year.

Student Council

Each tutor group from across the school has a Form Captain and Vice Captain. One of these students represents the form on the student council.

Department Leaders

Departments adopt Departmental Leaders as they are required. Responsibilities include lunchtime and break supervision of departmental areas and support for staff as required. These students can be, but are not restricted to being Senior Students.