Prep Head's Blog: Leadership

 

Dear Felsted Families,

Leadership seems to be on the agenda across all areas of life this week, and I have had a cluster of inspirational conversations about pupil voice, parent voice, and how we can continue to develop these further as a community.

Our Year 7 pupils have recently been completing their letters of application for our Year 8 Leadership programme. Following this, they will each experience an interview, and based on what we know of their emerging passions, skills, and interests, we will be forming our core leadership groups for September.

A question I was asked this week was, "Do we define the word leadership?" Reflecting on this question, I am not sure we deliberately spend time defining this for our pupils. There is a danger of making assumptions that everyone fully understands leadership in the same way. Do we mean ambassadors? Do we mean change-makers? Do we mean advocates? Do we mean mentors? Do we mean coaches? I could, of course, go on with many varied aspects of 'leadership.'

In an earlier assembly this year, I asked who inspired pupils. This is arguably one of the best routes into exploring the definition of leadership on a personal level based on real-life examples. Further conversation starters for all age groups may also include: Which leaders inspire you? Can you remember leaders from when you were very young? Has that level of impact changed over the years? Do leaders need experience? Can anyone be a leader?

To that last question, my reply will always be a resounding 'YES!' An example of this in action is the leadership skill of encouragement, modelling, and passing on wisdom. Our Year 4 pupils have been provided with some guidance for when they join Year 5. I have taken a few of these 'top tips for survival' and added some leadership values to them.

“Dear Year 5 pupil, 

Top tips for survival! 

Make more friends and keep old ones”

A fantastic piece of wisdom given from a peer to a peer, helping to build those all-important relationship-building skills that will widen their social and learning circles.

“Enjoy more space and responsibility”

The well-chosen word responsibility places accountability at the heart of the next steps.

“Listen to others and help new people”

A true leader will seek to listen first and will certainly want to help others.

“Ask for help”

This is perhaps an aspect of leadership that can often be overlooked. It takes courage to ask for help, and this is a vital skill that we seek to celebrate.

“Tuck your shirt in”

A great example to set. As a school community, we regularly focus on uniform, and our recent efforts have had an immediately pleasing impact on the standard of uniform. That sense of team and belonging is further supported by following a uniform policy. A work in progress but will have great outcomes.

“Remember the right kit”

So much to remember, but good leaders tend to be focused on organisation and planning in advance. Having agency over packing bags the night before enables these skills to be developed. We are all practicing this skill (and a huge thank you to families for labelling every piece of kit - this helps enormously).

Passing wise words forwards - this is leadership in action! I am looking forward to the interviews with Year 7 pupils over the next two weeks, and these skills will certainly form part of those all-important discussions.

I hope you have a great weekend ahead with your families.

Warm wishes,
 

Miranda Norris