School Council

At Nicholas Hawksmoor, pupil leadership isn't a one-off badge or a single committee. There are key teams, each with its own job, and between them they give every child an opportunity to helping run the school. Roles are voted on or applied for near the start of the academic year, and children are supported by staff and governors throughout.

School Council

The School Council exists to involve pupils in decision making in and around the school. Councillors help lead and direct fundraising projects and whole-school events, and raise the profile of how children and schools can get involved in the wider community. Points raised are discussed and voted on before a course of action is agreed.

A representative from each class is voted into office at the start of the year. The older councillors in Years 5 and 6 keep the minutes, plan agendas and chair the meetings. Teachers, other staff and governors often join in with discussions and projects.

Recent work includes linking up with the other three school councils in the trust, and supporting a range of good causes. There are ideas afoot for a school newspaper, developing our allotment, planting wildflowers in our flower boxes and making more of the school notice board, so that pupil voice is visible around the building. The Council is also looking again at Terracycle, and whether it's still worth becoming a collection point for the community for things like pens, laundry and cleaning product packaging and used dishwasher packaging. More on that later in the year.

Pupil Equity Ambassadors

Our Equity Ambassadors look after fairness, belonging and respect across the school. They help make sure that every child, whatever their background, needs or starting point, feels they belong here and can take part in everything on offer.

Ambassadors work alongside staff to review how inclusive our books, displays, assemblies and clubs really are. They gather the views of children who don't always speak up, lead assemblies on equality and diversity, and support whole-school events such as Anti-Bullying Week and cultural celebrations. Where they spot a barrier, whether that's a club that's hard to get to or a resource that doesn't reflect our community, they raise it and help put it right.

House Captains

Every child belongs to one of our houses, and House Captains are elected from Year 6 to lead them. Captains run house assemblies, organise inter-house competitions, keep track of house points and present the results in celebration assembly.

They're also role models. Captains greet visitors, help at open evenings, look out for younger children at social times and set the tone for how we expect everyone to behave. It's a big responsibility and one our Year 6s take seriously.

Sports Leaders

Our Sports Leaders promote healthy, active play and help make sure sport at Nicholas Hawksmoor is for everyone, not just the most confident athletes.

Trained by our PE staff, they organise and lead playground games at break and lunchtime, set up and run equipment, referee and score at inter-house events, and support younger children at sports day and intra-school competitions. They also feed back to staff on what pupils actually want to play, which shapes our clubs and playtime provision.