Student Leadership

At Crispin, we believe that every student has the potential to be a leader.

Student leadership is an important part of our THRIVE Curriculum and provides students from Years 7–11 with opportunities to develop confidence, communication, teamwork, responsibility and independence while making a genuine contribution to our school and wider community.

Leadership at Crispin is not reserved for a small number of students or for those in Year 11. We deliberately provide a range of opportunities so that students of different ages, interests, strengths and experiences can find a way to get involved.

Leadership opportunities across Crispin
Students can take on a wide range of roles during their time at Crispin, including:

Head Students
Our Head Students represent the school at the highest level of student leadership. They act as ambassadors for Crispin, contribute to important school events, work with members of the Senior Leadership Team and help ensure that student views are represented in school life.

Senior Prefects and Prefects
Students in Years 10 and 11 have opportunities to become Prefects and Senior Prefects. They act as positive role models, support younger students and contribute to the smooth running and culture of the school.

Student Council Representatives
Every tutor group has the opportunity to be represented on the Student Council. Representatives gather the views and ideas of their peers and attend regular meetings, including opportunities to meet with members of the Senior Leadership Team. This ensures students have a meaningful voice in the continued development of Crispin.

Subject Student Leaders
Students can become ambassadors for individual curriculum areas. Subject Student Leaders work alongside departments to promote their subject, support events and activities, welcome visitors and encourage other students to become involved.

Year Group Student Leaders
Leadership opportunities are available throughout the school and develop as students progress through Crispin. These include roles focused on areas such as supporting others, charity and fundraising, inclusion and school community, and peer mentoring.

THRIVE and Enrichment Leadership
Students are encouraged not only to participate in Crispin’s extensive enrichment programme but also to help shape and lead it. Opportunities may include supporting clubs and activities, helping at events, sharing expertise with other students and promoting participation across the school.

House and Community Leadership
Students can contribute to our House system, charity work, fundraising, school events and activities within the wider community. These opportunities encourage students to work with others and understand the positive contribution they can make beyond the classroom.

Student voice that makes a difference
Student leadership at Crispin is about more than wearing a badge.

We want students to know that their ideas and opinions matter. Through Student Council, leadership meetings, student feedback and conversations with staff and senior leaders, students are encouraged to identify areas for development, suggest solutions and contribute to decisions about school life.

Students therefore develop an understanding that leadership involves listening to others, representing different viewpoints, taking responsibility and turning ideas into positive action.

Leadership for everyone
We are committed to ensuring that our leadership opportunities are inclusive and accessible.

We actively encourage students from all backgrounds and with a wide range of needs, interests and experiences to become involved. Opportunities are available within different areas of school life and with different levels of responsibility, allowing students to develop their confidence and leadership skills over time.

This includes leadership opportunities within The Willows, ensuring that students accessing our SEND provision can also take meaningful roles such as supporting reading, helping younger students and providing homework support.

Students do not have to see themselves as a ‘natural leader’ to get involved. For some, leadership might begin with representing their tutor group, supporting another student or helping at an event. For others, it may eventually lead to becoming a Prefect or Head Student.

Developing skills for life
Through student leadership, we want our students to develop skills and qualities that will support them long after they leave Crispin, including:

• confidence and communication
• teamwork and collaboration
• organisation and responsibility
• empathy and compassion
• problem-solving and decision-making
• resilience and independence
• the confidence to express their views and listen respectfully to others.

Student leadership supports our wider commitment to ensuring that young people leave Crispin as confident, responsible individuals who are ready to contribute positively to their communities and to the wider world.

Above all, our approach reflects our belief in Aspiration, Compassion and Excellence and our commitment to ensuring that everyone is known, everyone is progressing and everyone is challenged.

Interested in becoming a student leader?
Leadership opportunities are promoted throughout the school year through assemblies, tutor time, THRIVE communications and individual departments.

We encourage every student to consider how they could get involved, contribute to Crispin and develop their own leadership journey.