Secondary Student Leadership
Our Vision
Educating to Make a Difference in the World
Our Mission
Discovering the brilliance in every individual. Building community through respect and a sense of belonging.
Empowering people to act with purpose.
Values
The core values that embody a JESS education and the ethos of our community
Commitment
We are dedicated and persevere in every undertaking.
Respect
E cellence
C e
Integ ity
we y and compassion our planet.
he right thing, even when ith difficult decisions.
Curiosity
We are excited to learn and have the courage to explore.
Student Leadership
JESS Secondary has 5 school councils
Student Exec Council – led by the Head Boy and Girl
Student Council – led by the Head Boy and Girl
Wellbeing Council – led by the Deputy Head Boy and Girl
Year Group Councils - led by Year group reps
Wellbeing Year Group Councils – led by Year Group Wellbeing Champions
JESS Secondary has 8 Student committees that are led by Exec sixth form leaders. Digital
Heritage
Reading
Expectations
Expectations of all student leaders
To act as a positive role model by demonstrating the school values to encourage younger students to aspire to.
To follow the school’s expectations in terms of conduct, appearance and attitude at all times.
To balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments.
To communicate student perspectives respectfully to staff and leadership
To chair meetings and plan agendas for student meetings.
To develop leadership skills within younger students
To identify areas for improvement within the school and suggest workable solutions.
To build strong relationships across year groups.
To suggest improvements to the next cohort of student leadership.
To act with integrity, positivity, and commitment to improving school culture.
Head Students
The Head Girl and Head Boy will lead the Student Exec Team and lead the School Council. They will report to the Headteacher.
Expectations:
To act as a positive role model by demonstrating the school values to encourage younger students to aspire to
To follow the school’s expectations in terms of conduct, appearance and attitude at all times
To balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments
To communicate student perspectives respectfully to staff and leadership.
To chair meetings and plan agendas for student meetings
To develop leadership skills within younger students.
To identify areas for improvement within the school and suggest workable solutions.
To build strong relationships across year groups.
To suggest improvements to the next cohort of student leadership.
To act with integrity, positivity, and commitment to improving school culture
Specific duties:
To lead, mentor and coordinate the student Executive leadership team and the student council.
To represent JESS on formal occasions and be ready to address the rest of the school and other individuals at events such as presentations, prize-giving, year assemblies etc.
To co-ordinate representation at important events throughout the year, such as Awards Ceremony, Transition Day, JPG events, etc.
To Chair the Student Council, requiring regular attendance, organisation of agendas and subsequent meetings and recording and distributing of meeting notes
To be an advocate for student voice at JESS to ensure that JESS truly is a student centred organisation
To be a visible presence at any school event, being ready to talk to visitors
Contribute termly to the schools newsletter to promote Student Leadership at JESS
To present to Student Exec and Student Council suggested initiatives to the senior leadership team with a proposed timeline.
Work closely with the senior leadership team to contribute to improvement discussions
Participate in key meetings when invited and present student perspectives professionally. Support the smooth running of the school
Deputy Head Students
The Deputy Head Girl/Boy (Wellbeing Champions) will be members of the Student Exec Team and lead the Wellbeing Council. They will report to the Lead Pastoral teachers and the Pastoral deputies.
Expectations:
To act as a positive role model by demonstrating the school values to encourage younger students to aspire to
To follow the school’s expectations in terms of conduct, appearance and attitude at all times
To balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments
To communicate student perspectives respectfully to staff and leadership.
To chair meetings and plan agendas for student meetings.
To develop leadership skills within younger students
To identify areas for improvement within the school and suggest workable solutions.
To build strong relationships across year groups
To suggest improvements to the next cohort of student leadership.
To act with integrity, positivity, and commitment to improving school culture.
Specific duties:
To lead, mentor and coordinate the Wellbeing Council
To support and be ready to deputise for the Head Girl/Head Boy
To Chair the Wellbeing Council, requiring regular attendance, organisation of agendas and subsequent meetings and recording and distributing of meeting notes
To present to Student Exec and Student Council suggested initiatives to the senior leadership team with a proposed timeline
To liaise with both primary schools, supporting where requested (e.g. project opportunities, reading initiatives, mentoring, wellbeing initiatives etc)
To represent and promote the school’s commitment to wellbeing initiatives that encourage positive mental health, emotional resilience, and healthy relationships.
To promote awareness days/weeks (e g., World Mental Health da
To encourage a safe and supportive environment where students feel confident speaking to trusted peers
To understand the importance of safeguarding and know when to pass concerns to staff to promote a safe environment for all students.
To contribute termly to the schools newsletter to promote Wellbeing at JESS
To engage in public speaking in assemblies/events related to Wellbeing.
To proactively play a part in continuing to ensure that all students at JESS have a strong sense of belonging.
Exec Eco Leader
The Exec Eco Leader will be a member of the Student Exec Team and lead the Eco Committee. They will report to the Geography department.
Expectations:
To act as a positive role model by demonstrating the school values to encourage younger students to aspire to
To follow the school’s expectations in terms of conduct, appearance and attitude at all times
To balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments
To communicate student perspectives respectfully to staff and leadership.
To chair meetings and plan agendas for student meetings
To develop leadership skills within younger students.
To identify areas for improvement within the school and suggest workable solutions.
To build strong relationships across year groups.
To suggest improvements to the next cohort of student leadership.
To act with integrity, positivity, and commitment to improving school culture
Specific duties:
To represent and promote the school’s commitment to sustainability.
To model environmentally responsible behaviour (recycling, energy saving, reduced waste).
To encourage students to take positive environmental actions.
To plan, lead, and support eco projects
To contribute ideas for new initiatives that can improve the school’s environmental impact.
To promote awareness days/weeks (e g., Earth Day, World Water Day, Climate Action Week).
To contribute termly to the schools newsletter to promote Sustainability at JESS.
To engage in public speaking in Sustainability themed assemblies
To proactively play a part in continuing to ensure that all students at JESS have a strong sense of responsible environmental behaviour
Exec Digital Leader
The Exec Digital Leader will be a member of the Student Exec Team and lead the Digital Committee. They will report to the Head of AI and the Computing department.
Expectations:
To act as a positive role model by demonstrating the school values to encourage younger students to aspire to
To follow the school’s expectations in terms of conduct, appearance and attitude at all times
To balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments
To communicate student perspectives respectfully to staff and leadership.
To chair meetings and plan agendas for student meetings
To develop leadership skills within younger students.
To identify areas for improvement within the school and suggest workable solutions
To build strong relationships across year groups.
To suggest improvements to the next cohort of student leadership.
To act with integrity, positivity, and commitment to improving school culture
Specific duties:
To represent the school’s commitment to safe, effective, and responsible technology use.
To model excellent digital citizenship, including respectful online behaviour and appropriate use of school devices.
To promote awareness of e safety, privacy, and digital wellbeing.
To support the leadership team in better understanding Ai’s place within the JESS community.
To support students who need guidance using learning platforms (e g , Teams, OneNote etc )
To provide feedback to the leadership team about what digital tools are working well.
To help trial and test new software, devices, or platforms before whole-school rollout.
To assist with digital events such as coding clubs, robotics activities, media projects, or ICT fairs
To contribute to school campaigns such as Safer Internet Day or Digital Wellbeing Week.
To promote healthy online habits such as screen-time balance, respectful communication, and secure password use.
To encourage students to report concerns about online safety, being a trusted advocate for student voice
To help the school raise awareness of new or emerging online risks.
To contribute termly to the schools newsletter to promote Digital Awareness at JESS
To engage in public speaking in Digital themed assemblies.
To help ensure all JESS students stay safe online, use technology responsibly, and are prepared for an ever evolving digital world.
Exec DEB Leader
The Exec DEB Leader will be a member of the Student Exec Team and lead the DEB Committee. They will report to Head of Inclusion and Pastoral Deputies.
Expectations:
To act as a positive role model by demonstrating the school values to encourage younger students to aspire to
To follow the school’s expectations in terms of conduct, appearance and attitude at all times
To balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments
To communicate student perspectives respectfully to staff and leadership.
To chair meetings and plan agendas for student meetings.
To develop leadership skills within younger students
To identify areas for improvement within the school and suggest workable solutions.
To build strong relationships across year groups
To suggest improvements to the next cohort of student leadership.
To act with integrity, positivity, and commitment to improving school culture.
Specific duties:
Promote and encourage continued awareness of the rich, cultural diversity of global societies.
Seek opportunities to celebrate and share the rich cultural diversity of the school’s student and parental body.
Present on issues relating to cultural diversity to the entire school body or small groups of students as required
Create and/or promote diversity-oriented events, minority and protected class inclusion programs and cross-cultural workshops or sessions
Work with people from the wider community to both celebrate and help raise awareness of global cultural diversity, diversity-related approaches and/or policies.
Work with the school’s marketing department to further promote cultural diversity and engage wider community engagement with events within the school.
Be an advocate for JESS student voice to document and raise cultural or diversity specific concerns to the school leadership team.
Contribute termly to the schools newsletter to promote DEB at JESS.
Engage in public speaking in DEB themed assemblies
Proactively play a part in continuing to ensure that all students at JESS have a strong sense of belonging
Exec Heritage Leader
The Exec Heritage Leader will be a member of the Student Exec Team and lead the Heritage Committee. They will report to the Head of Islamic Studies.
Expectations:
To act as a positive role model by demonstrating the school values to encourage younger students to aspire to
To follow the school’s expectations in terms of conduct, appearance and attitude at all times
To balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments
To communicate student perspectives respectfully to staff and leadership.
To chair meetings and plan agendas for student meetings
To develop leadership skills within younger students.
To identify areas for improvement within the school and suggest workable solutions.
To build strong relationships across year groups.
To suggest improvements to the next cohort of student leadership.
To act with integrity, positivity, and commitment to improving school culture
Specific duties:
To strategically plan the heritage activities for all key stages across the academic year.
Lead the Heritage committee in establishing heritage aims for each year group and communicate this with the school leadership team.
Coordinate the planning and delivery of mentor time Heritage activities
Take a leading role in organising Heritage events e.g. Flag Day, Commemoration Day, National Day, Ramadhan, and Eid
Contribute termly to the schools newsletter to promote Heritage at JESS.
Engage in public speaking in Heritage themed assemblies.
Proactively play a part in continuing to ensure that all students at JESS have a strong sense of local heritage.
Exec Reading Leader
The Exec Reading Leader will be a member of the Student Exec Team and lead the Reading Committee. They will report to the Librarians and the Literacy Coordinator.
Expectations:
To act as a positive role model by demonstrating the school values to encourage younger students to aspire to
To follow the school’s expectations in terms of conduct, appearance and attitude at all times
To balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments
To communicate student perspectives respectfully to staff and leadership.
To chair meetings and plan agendas for student meetings
To develop leadership skills within younger students.
To identify areas for improvement within the school and suggest workable solutions.
To build strong relationships across year groups.
To suggest improvements to the next cohort of student leadership.
To act with integrity, positivity, and commitment to improving school culture
Specific duties:
Promoting a Reading Culture at JESS by curating monthly reading lists or “Ambassador Picks” for different year groups
Promoting a Reading Culture at JESS by leading short talks or presentations about books they love, tying them to themes like resilience, diversity, or creativity.
Drive a reading buddies initiative to encourage key stage 4 students to support key stage 3 students to encourage reading confidence, especially reluctant readers.
Lead a lunchtime Book Club where students can either read the same book to discuss or bring their own.
Help host guest authors, introducing them and facilitating Q&A sessions.
Organize reading challenges and/or quizzes, such as the Readers’ Cup led by the Emirates Literature Foundation. This can also be linked into House competitions.
Contribute termly to the schools newsletter to promote Reading at JESS
Engage in public speaking in Reading themed assemblies.
Proactively play a part in continuing to promote a reading culture at JESS.
Exec Service Leader
The Exec Service Leader will be a member of the Student Exec Team and lead the Service Committee. They will report to the CAS Coordinator.
Expectations:
To act as a positive role model by demonstrating the school values to encourage younger students to aspire to
To follow the school’s expectations in terms of conduct, appearance and attitude at all times
To balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments
To communicate student perspectives respectfully to staff and leadership.
To chair meetings and plan agendas for student meetings
To develop leadership skills within younger students.
To identify areas for improvement within the school and suggest workable solutions
To build strong relationships across year groups.
To suggest improvements to the next cohort of student leadership.
Specific duties:
To support approved charitable work throughout the school and provide feedback to the school leadership team
To organise, promote and support approved school fund-raising activities for school community events.
To advocate the importance of service contributions to younger students to empower to Make a Difference in the World.
To work with the CAS coordinator on aligning relevant projects/experiences to wider school charity drives or initiatives.
Contribute termly to the schools newsletter to promote Service at JESS.
Engage in public speaking in Service themed assemblies
Proactively play a part in continuing to ensure that students at JESS contribute to service initiatives and support the wider JESS community
Exec Creative Leader
The Exec Creative Leader will be a member of the Student Exec Team and lead the Creative Committee. They will report to the Head of Performing Arts and the Head of Art.
Expectations:
To act as a positive role model by demonstrating the school values to encourage younger students to aspire to
To follow the school’s expectations in terms of conduct, appearance and attitude at all times
To balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments
To communicate student perspectives respectfully to staff and leadership.
To chair meetings and plan agendas for student meetings
To develop leadership skills within younger students.
To identify areas for improvement within the school and suggest workable solutions.
To build strong relationships across year groups.
To suggest improvements to the next cohort of student leadership.
To act with integrity, positivity, and commitment to improving school culture
To act with integrity, positivity, and commitment to improving school culture.
Specific duties:
To raise the profile and participation in creative opportunities at school (Music, Art, Drama, Dance).
To encourage a positive culture where creativity is valued in all year groups
To support staff with the planning and delivery of creative events throughout the year.
To support and attend major events in school (productions, concerts, art exhibitions, assemblies, etc)
Create opportunities to bring year groups together through creative projects, events, performances etc
Support younger students in extracurricular activities across the creative arts. contribute termly to the schools newsletter to promote the Creatives at JESS
Engage in public speaking in Creative themed assemblies.
Proactively play a part in continuing to ensure that all students at JESS have a strong sense of local heritage
Exec House Leader
The Exec House Leaders will be a member of the Student Exec Team and lead the House leaders. They will report to the staff House Leaders.
Expectations:
To act as a positive role model by demonstrating the school values to encourage younger students to aspire to
To follow the school’s expectations in terms of conduct, appearance and attitude at all times
To balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments
To communicate student perspectives respectfully to staff and leadership.
To chair meetings and plan agendas for student meetings
To develop leadership skills within younger students.
To identify areas for improvement within the school and suggest workable solutions.
To build strong relationships across year groups.
To suggest improvements to the next cohort of student leadership.
To act with integrity, positivity, and commitment to improving school culture
Specific duties:
To attend and take a leading role in House events and assemblies
To help organise and plan competitions and events throughout the year, selecting teams or individuals for these, and ensure that all team members know when they are competing
To meet regularly to plan and co-ordinate house activities and assemblies
To build a relationship with House representatives
To motivate and encourage students to participate in inter-house events throughout the year
Proactively play a part in continuing to ensure that all students at JESS have a sense belonging to their JESS house
Contribute termly to the schools newsletter to promote House at JESS.
Guided by our values
