Student Leadership

At Darwen Aldridge Community Academy we believe that students should be given a wide range of opportunities to develop and practise leadership skills in preparation for life beyond school. It would be impossible to list all the opportunities students have to take on leadership roles at the school so this is just a selection of what is currently on offer.  Many Student Leadership activities will focus on supporting the school’s aim to be a place where everyone enjoys learning and is creative – trying new things, finding solutions and embracing their responsibilities.

Aims of our Student Leadership programme

• To empower students to work in partnership with staff and other students towards shared goals.
• To enable creativity to flourish as the school community benefits from the wealth of experiences, ideas, skills and sense of fun that students bring.
• To provide opportunities for students to develop leadership skills through a variety projects which impact positively on well-being for both students and staff at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy.
• To prepare students for Higher Education and for achieving personal and professional excellence in life after formal education.

Our Student Leadership programme provides;

• Formal and informal learning opportunities to develop individuals as leaders.
• Processes and structures for student representation and the incorporation of students’ views into decision-making in the life of the school.

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy will;

• Provide a Student Leadership tie or pin badge so they can be easily identified around school site by all members of the community
• Provide a wide range of participation and leadership opportunities which cater for all students in the school.
• Provide recognition of all Student Leadership roles
• Encourage the development of student participation and leadership skills through classroom practice.
• Encourage students to differentiate between student participation and Student Leadership.
• Provide students with access to key staff for support and guidance

Student Leader expectations

Student Leaders are the school’s role models. You need to be a student who works hard to reach our schools expectation of good behaviour, no unauthorised absence, constant punctuality; you also need to be always in full and correct school uniform. As a Student Leader you will be required to wear your Student Leadership identification (either a tie or badge) and fulfil the expectations of your role.

What Personal Qualities do I need?

• You should like working with and talking to younger students
• You should be able to build good working relationships with staff
• You should want to make a lasting impact at school and be involved in decision-making
• You should be able to work well in a team
• You should have good time management skills e.g. balancing commitments
• You should be polite, mature, respectful, responsible, and kind at all times

For more information on Student leadership please contact Mrs Rachel Lewis or Mr Gareth O’Reilly.

Student Leadership Handbook 

Opportunities

Head Students

Head Students are the main student leaders of the academy and each have an area of responsibility (Data Driven Instruction, Curriculum, Coaching and Climate) where they work alongside the Senior Leadership Team to improve standards and act as excellent role models to the rest of the school. Head students have an important role within the student council where they will present any progress or updates at each meeting. Students can apply to be Head Students at the end of Year 10 and will be interviewed by staff and students before a whole school vote is conducted.

School Council

The purpose of student council is to give students an opportunity to develop leadership by organising and carrying out school activities and service projects. In addition to planning events that contribute to school spirit and community welfare, the student council is the voice of the student body.

The student council will run as follows:

• Nomination process begins in September so that selected representatives can be involved in planning for the year.
• 1 representative from each tutor group (7-13) who will meet every 3 weeks with the Principal and Assistant Principal
• Student leadership training provided for students to receive accredited certification.
• Student Council noticeboard in school to raise profile/highlight current work.

Anti-Bullying/Wellbeing Ambassadors

The purpose of the Well-Being and Anti-bullying ambassadors is to offer support and raise awareness for mental health and also to  help educate their peers on bullying, lead on anti-bullying campaigns and promote a positive and safe culture. The ambassadors programme will run as follows:

• Nomination process begins in September so that selected representatives can be involved in planning for the year.
• 2 representatives for every year group will be selected.
• Anti-bullying and wellbeing training will be provided for students to receive accredited certification.
• Anti-bullying/Wellbeing Ambassador noticeboard in school to raise profile/highlight current work.

Peer Mentoring

The purpose of the Peer Mentors is to offer support and guidance for Year 7 students through the transition process and throughout their first academic year. Peer Mentors will provide both academic and emotional support depending on need and aim to ensure the smooth transition for students joining the academy. The peer mentor programme will run as follows:

• Nomination process begins in May so that selected mentors can be in place to support with transition events in Term 6.
• 30 students from Year 9 will be selected in total
• Peer Mentor training will be provided for students to receive accredited certification.
• Peer Mentors will be paired with a Year 7 and will meet with them weekly during tutor time.

Sixth Form

The Sixth Form is aligned to the values of DACA and plays an active role in the student council, anti-bullying and mentoring support. In addition to this the Sixth Form has its own bespoke student council that leads on specific factors influencing 16-19 students and the wider community.

• The nomination process begins for our new Yr12’s in September
• 2 Representatives will be selected from each tutor group and they will then join the Yr13 members to make up the Sixth Form Council
• The Sixth Form Council meet every 3 weeks and each council member plays an active role in shaping the Sixth Form and supporting the local community.