Head Students: Pupil Leadership and Democracy
At Sir Alexander Fleming, our Head Students play an important role in representing the voice of our pupils and acting as positive role models throughout the school. Head Students demonstrate our values every day through their leadership, responsibility, kindness and commitment to the school community.
The selection of our Head Students is a democratic process that gives pupils the opportunity to experience democracy in action. Interested candidates submit an application outlining why they would be suitable for the role and how they would make a positive contribution to the school. Shortlisted pupils then present their ideas and aspirations to their peers before taking part in a school-wide vote. Every pupil has the opportunity to cast their vote, ensuring that our Head Students are chosen fairly and represent the views of the wider school community.
Once elected, Head Students take on a range of responsibilities, including welcoming visitors, supporting school events, leading assemblies, leading by example and helping to promote pupil voice. Through these opportunities, they develop valuable leadership skills while making a meaningful contribution to school life and helping to inspire others to Shine, Achieve and Flourish – The SAF Way!
House Captains and Vice Captains: Leadership, Teamwork and School Spirit
At Sir Alexander Fleming, our House Captains and Vice Captains are proud ambassadors for their houses: Fire, Earth, Water and Air. These pupil leaders play a vital role in promoting teamwork, encouraging participation and fostering a strong sense of belonging across the school community.
House Captains and Vice Captains are selected through a democratic process, giving pupils the opportunity to develop an understanding of leadership and democracy in action. Interested pupils apply for the role and explain why they would be effective representatives for their house. Following formal interviews led by Head Students, the candidates they believe will best uphold our values and lead their house with enthusiasm and integrity.
Once elected, House Captains and Vice Captains take on a range of important responsibilities. They encourage pupils to contribute positively to house events, help to collect and celebrate house points, and motivate their teams to do their best throughout the year. They also work closely with staff to organise and support exciting house competitions and events, including our popular Christmas Singing Competition, Inter-House Sports Competitions, fundraising activities and other whole-school celebrations.
Through their leadership, House Captains and Vice Captains help to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere where every pupil feels valued and inspired to contribute. The role provides children with valuable opportunities to develop confidence, communication, organisation and teamwork skills, whilst making a meaningful contribution to school life and strengthening the sense of pride within their house community.
School Council
Our School Council meets regularly with Mrs Vickers. Each class has one representative. The School Council deliver regular assemblies and work with the governors and staff every term to share and discuss their thoughts on how to develop and improve the school.
Who are School Council?
Sir Alexander Fleming Nursery and Primary School Council is made up of pupils from Year 1 through to Year 6, who are elected by their peers to represent the views of all pupils, and to work with the senior leadership team to continue to improve our school.
What are our aims?
- The members will raise the profile and promote Sir Alexander Fleming Nursery and Primary School’s Aims and Vision Statement.
- The members will have a responsibility to help the school become more environmentally friendly.
- The members will have the responsibility to think of ways to help the local community become a safer, healthier and more peaceful place to live in.
- The members will promote the voice of the school community.
- The members will support charities and help raise funds for school events
The Role of School Council
Each year, after an electoral campaign in class and voting day, every class will elect representatives from their year group; they will be members of the school council for the whole of the academic year. The elections take place at the beginning of the school year in the Autumn term.
Each representative follows a set of principles:
- To make sure that our school is a safe and happy place for children.
- To make sure that children have a place to voice their concerns.
- To encourage all children in the school to suggest improvements.
- To make sure any suggestions or concerns are listened to and acted upon
Reading Ambassadors
- They are amazing reading role-models!
- They are enthusiastic about reading and inspire other children to read.
- They look after books in the whole school library.
- They help during reading assemblies.
- They run a reading club at lunchtime on Friday.
- They make recommendations in a termly leaflet and Seesaw post.
Digital Leaders
This is a pupil-led online safety team in the school where the children are the experts! We run Digital Leaders across the school where one child from each class is elected to be a part of the team.
Throughout the year, the Digital Leaders lead a school assembly every term on a an aspect of online safety. They also go into every classroom throughout the terms to teach a lesson to their peers about different themes around online safety.
The children who are part of the team proudly wear their Digital Leaders badges and have now achieved gold status by successfully completing a host of challenges. This rise to gold status took many years and the children are very proud of their success.
As well as running assembles and teaching lessons, the Digital Leaders also hold parent workshops and open door sessions where their peers can approach them for advice.
Playground Buddies
Some children from Year 4 have received training to become a playground friend after filling out an application form and having an interview with Mrs Tomlinson. Their role is to help children on the playground have an enjoyable playtime. They provide a variety of games and activities and also assist children to the first aid room if needed. Children can easily spot a playground friend as they wear an orange vest to stand out.
Sports Leaders
Our Sports leaders are volunteers from Year 5 and Year 6 who support active lunch time activities, house competitions and sports day. They can be found on the playground organising games and activities; they are identified by their sports leader armband.