Leadership Opportunities
Leadership opportunities at St. Aidan’s are carefully designed to empower students to promote WALK, develop confidence, responsibility, and a strong sense of purpose.
From an early stage, pupils are encouraged to take on roles that allow them to lead by example, contribute positively to the school community, and influence meaningful change. Through a range of formal and informal leadership pathways, students learn to communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and develop the skills needed to succeed both within and beyond school life.
Sixth Form Committees and Student Ambassadors
We encourage students to apply to become Student Ambassadors in Year 12 and to stand for election by staff and students onto Sixth Form Committees. These roles develop leadership skills within our school community. We are indeed fortunate to have such able and committed students.
Peer Readers
The Reading Leaders scheme is an opportunity to be trained to work one‑to‑one with Year 7 pupils to improve their reading. A full day of training is provided by ‘Beanstalk’ and there is the option of having certification at the end of the year. The skills developed are transferable to a range of future study and employment opportunities and this programme is a real way to give back to the school community.
MUSIC LEADERSHIP
Leadership in Music takes a variety of forms and is primarily open to Sixth Form students. Our Junior Jazz band (SAJE) is led by members of the Sixth Form who also participate in the Swing Band. These students take on significant responsibility, including planning and leading rehearsals, conducting and directing the ensemble, selecting repertoire, and supporting the organisation of concerts and performances.
Further leadership opportunities within the Music department include working alongside staff in KS3 lessons, mentoring younger pupils within ensembles and choirs, and assisting with the practical planning and delivery of concerts and music events. Students may also engage with the technical team, gaining experience in sound, lighting and stage management for shows and performances. Through roles such as leading SAJE and supporting the wider department, students develop confidence, communication and teamwork skills, while making a meaningful contribution to the musical life of the school.
Smart Student Council
At St. Aidan’s CE High School, our approach to student voice is guided by our WALK values – Wisdom, Aspiration, Learning well together and Kindness – which shape how we listen to students and support them in making a positive difference within our school community. Our Student Council uses the Smart School Councils approach, an inclusive and structured model that ensures student voice is meaningful, democratic and leads to real action. All students take part in Class Meetings during tutor time, where they work in small groups, discuss a shared question, vote on ideas and raise issues that matter to them, supported by student volunteers acting as Meeting Leaders and Notetakers. Feedback from these meetings is reviewed by the Communication Team, a group of elected students who identify key themes, share student views with staff and help move ideas forward. Students can also get involved through Action Teams, which are open to everyone and allow students to lead projects focused on improving school life, supported by a member of staff. Through this approach, students develop confidence, communication and leadership skills while seeing how their ideas can lead to real change.
Holocaust Educational Trust
Each year the Holocaust Educational Trust runs a programme called Lessons from Auschwitz. This project offers post-16 students the opportunity to learn about the Holocaust and consider its relevance for today. Through the bespoke interactive online platform, two seminars and a one-day visit to Poland, participants join others from across the country as they embark on an educational journey in which they:
- Learn about the history of the Holocaust and the role of camps such as Auschwitz-Birkenau
- Consider the individuals whose lives were affected by the Holocaust
- Reflect on the relevance of the Holocaust today and share their learning with others
Each year the History Department offers our allocated places to Humanities students in Year 12. In 2026, for example, four students took part in the scheme. All would agree that the programme offers is a supremely enriching opportunity. In sharing their experiences, the students have already created a display and will help to promote Holocaust awareness through leading assemblies.
The Anne Frank Trust
St. Aidan’s works in partnership with the Anne Frank Trust UK to provide students with opportunities to develop leadership, advocacy, and active citizenship through education about prejudice, discrimination, and respect. Students can take on ambassador roles, receiving specialist training from the Anne Frank Trust to develop subject knowledge, communication skills, and confidence. As part of this role, students support the wider school community by raising awareness of key issues, leading discussions, and delivering assemblies and exhibitions that promote equality and understanding while contributing positively to the school community and living out our school’s values.
Zawadi
Zawadi is a student-led fundraising organisation run by Sixth Form students at St. Aidan’s, founded in 2007 and recognised around school by their distinctive orange hoodies. Each year, students plan and deliver a wide range of community fundraising events, including sweet sales, tombolas, concerts and other engaging activities both in school. Through these events, Zawadi helps raise important funds for Artizan International, a charity founded by Susie Hart MBE which uses craft and enterprise to create training and employment opportunities for differently-abled people in the UK, Peru and Ecuador.
To date, Zawadi has raised significant funds and is a meaningful opportunity for Sixth Form students to develop leadership, teamwork and organisational skills while making a big impact.