Developing Student Leadership across Testwood is key, as when given the opportunity young people can have a profound impact on their school. We recognise that students have logical perspectives and opinions on issues that matter in the classroom, in the school, and in the community. Therefore, we are committed to giving students an active role in influencing decisions about these issues as well as in the implementation of these decisions.

School Council

Our School Council was relaunched in 2022 with a new structure that focuses on individual School Council Leaders being able to have a voice and make change on the issues that they care about most.

Each tutor group elects two School Council Leaders, one lead and one deputy, at the start of the academic year. These School Council Leaders attend half-termly meetings where, in their individual sub-groups as well as an entire council, they identify areas for improvement and change across the school. They then devise meaningful solutions for these areas.

The School Council is split into the following sub-groups:

1. Eco group
2. Diversity group
3. Culture group
4. Enrichment group
5. Traditional group

Other student leaderships opportunities at Testwood include:

Sports Captains
Leadership in PE comes in many forms, as a performer, a captain, a coach, an organiser or an official. Pupils are taught these roles during core PE lessons and have opportunities throughout a variety of sporting activities to develop these skills. In year 10 pupils are invited to apply to become a Sports Captain. A love of sport is encouraged when applying for the role, but the key element is their commitment to the school community. Sport Captains support the delivery of House Matches throughout the year and the delivery of Sports Week and Sports Day. Sport Captains are the link between the school community and the PE department and are vital in enthusing the school into physical activity.

Young Leaders
One of our greatest strengths at Testwood is our Young Leaders Programme. This involves a number of our students being trained to be able to plan, deliver and organise sporting events in our local cluster primary schools, e.g. end of year sports days, regional New Forest competitions and festivals for primary and secondary schools as well as events across the County. Students will be responsible for a wide range of responsibilities that include leading sport specific activities, officiating fixtures and competitions, marshalling, scoring and timekeeping to name but a few.

Each event is geared towards providing a positive learning environment for students to work on life and leadership skills with the intent that students will continue their pathway into teaching, coaching and/or volunteering in sport in the future. The opportunity is open to all students via an application process.