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Harris Academies
All Academies in our Federation aim to transform the lives of the students they serve by bringing about rapid improvement in examination results, personal development and aspiration.

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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: 

  •  Head Students from HAWI6 

  •  Senior Prefects from HAWI6 

  •  Prefects from HAWI6 

  •  House Leaders representing every House in every year group. 

 

The Head Student election process 

Candidates for 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.

 

Our Senior Prefects 

Supporting our Head Students, each Senior Prefect leads one of our seven houses and oversees a dedicated area, or “pillar,” within the academy. These pillars represent key aspects of academy life, and each Senior Prefect, along with their team of prefects, works closely with staff to drive meaningful initiatives in their area. Our pillars include: 

 

  • Teaching and Learning 

  • Environment 

  • Mental Health and Wellbeing 

  • Inclusion and Diversity 

  • Charity and Community 

  • Creativity and Arts 

  • Sports 

 

The School Council 

Our Head Students chair the Student Council, with each house represented by its Senior Prefect. The Council meets once a half term, and it is through the Council that students get their voices heard.  Each House Tutor group is consulted once a half term by their House Leader, the Senior Prefect, who gathers input on issues and brings them to the Council for discussion. 

The Council, and through it the students at the academy, 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 Senior Prefects 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.