Student Leadership at HAWI
We know that many of our students have passionate views about their academy, their place within it, and indeed about the world beyond the academy. We want those passions to have a voice. We also know that many of our students have real leadership talents, and others are always looking for ways to develop their leadership skills. We want our students to believe, as we do, that democracy and the democratic process is the best way to get their voices heard, and their ideas put into action.
The Student Leadership Body
Our Student Leadership body is made up of:
- two Head Students from Year 11
- two Deputy Head Students from Year 10
- House Leaders representing every House in every year group.
The Election Process
Candidates for Head Student and Deputy Head Student are interviewed by the Principal, and then, following a campaign period during which they communicate their vision to the rest of the school, the winners are elected by the entire student body. Every student has a vote, and all are given the opportunity to cast their votes in a special assembly. House Leaders are elected by their House Tutor group.
The School Council
Once elected, our Head Students, Deputy Head Students and House Leaders from the Upper School sit on the School Council. The Council meets once a half term, and it is through the Council that students get their voices heard. Each House Tutor group is canvassed once a half term by their House Leader, and the issues that they raise are brought to the Council to be heard.
The Council, and through it the democratically elected Student Leaders, have had a big influence on many aspects of academy life. Some of the issues that have been raised at the Council and changed as a result recently are:
- The daily food and drink options available in the canteen
- The school uniform coat policy
- Cultural celebration days
- Naming of Houses
- House logos
- School decorations
Student Leaders have driven those changes.
Representing our Academy
The Head Students and Deputy Head Students also have roles beyond democratic representation. They are also the public face of our students. They represent the students at all of our major school events, and they speak at many of them. We are very proud of our Student Leaders, and we are very proud of how seriously the whole student body takes the election process.
