At EIC, we really believe in the importance of the student voice. Last year we developed our Student Council so that it became a real force for change in the college. This year, we are taking student voice even further by electing our first Student Leadership Team.

Students in Year 13 were asked to apply for a position on the Team, and staff and peers were asked to vote. Our student leaders are below:

Head Boy - Taiyo

Head Girl - Eleanor

Deputy Head Boy and leader of our Peer Mentoring programme - Ahmed

Deputy Head Girl and President of the Student Council - Haboon

Equalities Prefect - Ayesha

Extra-curricular Prefect - Naoya

You can see from the list above where our priorities lie. The Peer Mentoring programme is an essential layer of our pastoral care, providing the opportunity for our students to talk to an older student if they have a low-level pastoral or academic concern, for example if they would like some tips on how to deal with exam stress. As Ahmed explained in his application, “I have always found EIC to be a welcoming and respectful environment, and the teachers are caring and compassionate. I would like to follow in their footsteps”.

This year we are expanding this even further. One of the Student Leadership Team will be available every lunchtime in a quiet room so that every student who wants to talk to a peer will know exactly where to go.

The issue of equality is quite rightly at the forefront of all of our minds. Ayesha will be leading an equalities discussion group, and she will also be heavily involved in assemblies and activities to promote equality throughout the year. Ayesha will be fantastic in this role. As she explained in her application, “I am unafraid to challenge injustice, and I am comfortable and confident with doing what needs to be done”.

Extra-curricular activities are vitally important in helping students to develop their skills, build confidence and make friends, and Naoya will be helping to encourage all students to take part, as well as being a point of contact for any student who wants to set up their own activity. Naoya feels that student clubs and societies “help students connect with those who share their passions”, and I am sure that he will help them to do just that.

Eleanor explains that she would like to “be a voice for the students in the College and to ensure that they continue to feel heard throughout their educational journey”. Haboon is excited to take up her role as she will be able to “engage with students across all year groups to turn our weaknesses into strengths”, and Taiyo promises to bring the leadership experience he has gained through teaching music to children to his Head Boy role.

This will certainly not be the last you will hear from or about these amazing students!