Student Leadership

Student Leadership

Head Girl’s Welcome

Welcome to Sarah Bonnell – an amazing school promoting sisterhood and aiming high for our dreams. We strive not only for academic excellence but also to create a space where everyone feels comfortable and open about who they truly are. This gives students the opportunity to excel and explore their ambitions, leading them to one day fulfill their dreams.

At Sarah Bonnell, students have the chance to explore new subjects and discover their passions. Throughout their time here, students have opportunities to join clubs, learn new skills, or develop their knowledge in areas that interest them. There are also many opportunities to put themselves forward for leadership roles, get involved, and speak out for their peers.

As head girl, I strive to amplify all of our school values – ‘Be Proud, Be kind, Work Hard, Aim High, No Excuses’ – but especially aim high, as I believe if we all aim high, anything is possible, whether big or small!

Alongside the school motto, my motto as head girl is: ‘Lead with vision, inspire with action,’ expanding on how I not only want to listen and boost the student voice but also work towards improving small things, step by step, to make our school even more extraordinary. This attitude is shared not only by the student leadership team but by the whole school as well.

As we start this new academic year, let us all take this quote as inspiration: ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts,’ and remember to keep working hard and stay positive in everything we do—something I believe is key, not only to our school journey but to our everyday lives.

Amiya Glockling, Head Girl, September 2024

Our Student Leadership

Our Student Leadership Team gives our students a voice and provides leadership opportunities which develop their confidence and communication skills.  Opportunities for our students to participate in school leadership positions are available from Year 7 through to Year 11.  These include:

Executive Council – every year group has a school council: a group of students who are elected by their peers to represent the interests of the year group and to bring their ideas to the whole school community.

The school council model we use at Sarah Bonnell enables every student in the school to have a voice. Ideas from tutor time feed into the Year Group Council, with three members of each Year Group Council sitting on the Executive Council alongside the Student Leadership Team. The Executive Council both contributes to and supports the evaluation of the School Development Plan.

Big Sisters Programme – a team of Year 11 Prefects who volunteer to support Year 7 students as they start school and support them to establish friendships and understand school routines. 

Key Stage 3 Ambassadors the programme supports our younger students to develop as leaders.  KS3 students develop their decision making, time management and leadership skills through shadowing members of our Prefect Team. In addition as Ambassadors, our students are given a range of opportunities to support various school events such as interviews, projects and curriculum development so that they can prepare themselves to work effectively in a team.

To become an Ambassador, students first need to put forward an application which is considered by the Student Leadership Team and staff team.  The next stage is an invitation to an interview with a member/members of the Prefect Team. Successful applicants then take up the role as Ambassadors.

‘Being part of the KS3 ambassador team is such a great honour. Sarah Bonnell has given me so many opportunities and you can be given many opportunities too’ ( Year 9 Student) 

Year 11 Prefect Team – a team of students who work alongside the Strategic Leadership Team led by the Headteacher. This team ensures that student voice is heard and that student initiatives are harnessed to make our school an even better place to learn.  Head Girl applications are made from the prefect group.

Student Leadership Team – this mirrors the structure of the Strategic Leadership Team 

The team consists of the Head Girl, three Deputy Head Girls and six Assistant Head Girls.   Our Sports Captain and her Deputy complete the Year 11 Student Leadership Team.Each member of the Student Leadership Team is responsible for leading an an aspect of the School Improvement Plan.

‘Pupils take an active role in the life of the school beyond the classroom. They participate in many of the clubs and activities on offer, perform in assemblies, help to organise events and activities and mentor younger pupils. School Leaders listen to pupils and involve them in decision making’ ( Ofsted Report, November 2022)