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

The Testwood School Student Council serves as a platform for our students to voice their concerns, ideas, and suggest changes on the issues and various aspects of school life that they care about most. It is represented by students from each year group, supporting the interests of our student body, and plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and belonging among students.

Participation in the Testwood School Student Council provides students with opportunities to develop leadership skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making. These School Council representatives attend half-termly meetings where they identify areas for improvement and change across the school.

One of the primary responsibilities of the Testwood School Student Council is to safeguard and promote the rights and welfare of students and serves as a vital platform for student empowerment, engagement, and leadership development, contributing to the development and well-being of our students.

The Testwood Student Council Aims for 2023-24 are to:

• • • Promote Student Voice
    • Promote Student Belonging
    • Support the Testwood Community

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.