At Teign School in Devon, part of the Education South West trust, we have, like many schools nationally, faced issues with attendance and behaviour, especially since the pandemic.

One way we have tried to tackle this is not just by using messaging that tells students they have to be in school but by creating a plethora of leadership positions that help them feel part of the community so they want to be here.

This means we now offer 17 different leadership roles to students - including prefect, student librarian, subject ambassador, mental health ambassador and transition buddy.

Huge interest

The groundwork for our revamped student leadership offering began five years ago, but was paused during the pandemic for obvious reasons.

However, since then we have developed it every year, with new roles being created, often as a result of students’ suggestions, which have included peer mentors, “girls active” leaders and eco committee members.

Interest in these roles has been growing with each passing year. This year, we had more than 600 students from years 7 to 13 apply for a student leadership position.

To ensure this work has been paid the necessary attention among staff, we appointed an associate senior leader with a specific focus on developing student leadership and amplifying student voice.

This role was crucial in integrating leadership opportunities into our broader school improvement strategy. In addition, we allocated specific time for every staff member to engage in extracurricular activities, including those related to student leadership.

Signing up

However, keen to ensure that students own the whole process, we have made sure the recruitment for positions is student-led, with guidance from tutors. Sign-up is simple too, with students expressing interest via a Google form during our annual recruitment week, which incorporates assemblies and tutorials that promote the importance of student leadership and participation.

For certain roles, such as house captains, prefects and PE ambassadors, the process is more formal, with an application and interview process, ensuring that students are matched with roles that suit their skills and aspirations - and that they truly understand what the role entails.

For sixth-form students especially, we have tried to make sure roles give them valuable insights into real-world experiences.

For example, student librarians follow an apprenticeship programme whereby they get involved in choosing books, managing library activities and creating a safe, welcoming environment during break times, contributing to a strong sense of community and service.

Similarly, tutor ambassadors and student council members, who advocate for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, have also shared how their leadership roles have raised their aspirations for their future careers.

SEND engagement

Notably, we have seen an increase in participation from disadvantaged students and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

In 2023, 28 per cent of the prefect team were from disadvantaged backgrounds, and 25 per cent had SEND, including two students with education, health, and care plans.

Giving students the chance to step into leadership roles definitely helps to develop a sense of agency and inclusion within schools. In our most recent student survey, 96 per cent of respondents noted that “my school encourages me to be independent and to take on responsibilities”.

Many also attribute their involvement in leadership roles to their success in gaining admission to their first-choice university and securing employment. One student leader remarked: “Being a leader at Teign has given me confidence and skills that I know will help me in the future. It’s been one of the best parts of my school experience.”

What’s more, our attendance figures are showing an increase year on year, and suspensions are down by 30 per cent since this time last year - I absolutely believe that our student leadership programme contributes to this.

Lucie Wagner is headteacher of Teign School, part of Education South West