A Masterclass in Leadership: KS2 School Council

We were delighted to welcome back former Prep pupil and current Deputy Head of School, James F, for an inspiring leadership workshop with our KS2 School Councillors. James, who is currently assigned to our Year 6 cohort, joined our councillors for lunch in the Prep dining hall to learn about their latest projects before diving into the training session.

A group of eleven schoolchildren in uniforms stand and sit in front of a green wall. Four children seated at a table, and four standing behind them, hold up sketches on white paper and all are smiling at the camera.

Drawing on his experiences in Drama, Rugby, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, James demonstrated how leadership is a versatile ‘toolkit’ used in everyday life. The workshop sparked a collaborative brainstorming session where pupils explored why leadership is vital to a school community.

The councillors engaged in some high-level ‘deep thinking’ as James introduced the concepts of autocratic and democratic leadership. Through real-world scenarios, the pupils debated which style best suited different challenges, showing a mature understanding of when to take charge and when to collaborate.

To conclude, each year group defined the ‘model characteristics’ of a strong leader, highlighting essential qualities like resilience, active listening, and being supportive.

It was a brilliant session of growth and inspiration. A huge thank you to James for returning to the Prep to invest in our future leaders: Jimi B, Grace V, Samuel C, Jack M, Amaira K, Zidan S, Sansaar J, Alisha N, Raife B-B, Dottie B, Freddie A, and Maya D.