Every child from year 1 -6 is part of a leadership team that they have either been voted to lead or chosen to be part of. We believe all pupils have an important role in shaping school life. Our pupil leadership programme gives children meaningful, structured opportunities to contribute, lead and grow in line with our vision: "We RISE together" — do what’s right, help others, reach your best.

What is our pupil leadership model?

Bottesford Leadership Team provides a range of leadership roles that reflect the interests and needs of our community and creates authentic opportunities for pupil voice across both Infant and Junior school.

Key features:

• A range of leadership roles are open to pupils from across the federation, with duties appropriate to age and experience.
• Selection processes that are fair and transparent and that encourage pupils who are less confident to take part.
• Regular meetings, mentoring and training so pupil leaders can carry out their roles effectively.
• Clear accountability: pupil leaders contribute to whole-school planning and feed into staff and governors where appropriate.
• Children meet at least half-term with pupils from year 1-6 in most leadership teams. 

Our purpose and vision

We want pupils at Bottesford Schools Federation to have an active role in their education and to sustain open, trustful relationships with staff. By developing the Bottesford leadership team, we create a climate for a meaningful and valued pupil voice. Pupils learn to express ideas in a safe, respectful environment and to take responsibility for initiatives that affect the whole federation.

This work is rooted in our RISE values:

• Respect — pupil leaders model kindness, listen carefully to others and represent different points of view.
• Integrity — leaders act honestly and responsibly in their roles.
• Strive — leaders show resilience and a determination to improve school life for everyone.
• Empowered — leadership roles give pupils confidence, strengthen speaking and listening skills, and encourage independent thinking.

What pupils gain from leadership

• Improved confidence, communication and teamwork skills.
• Greater understanding of how they learn and how to influence positive change.
• Opportunities to lead projects (events, fundraising, environmental initiatives, reading and library activities, peer mentoring).
• A voice in decisions that affect day-to-day life at school and long-term development priorities.

Example activity highlights

• Reading Rangers supporting younger pupils at story time and promoting library choices across the federation.
• Eco-Warriors projects that have reduced waste and improved the environment.
• Pupil-led assemblies and presentation opportunities where leaders share ideas with classmates and staff.
• Consultation panels feeding into pupil wellbeing and playground improvements, with outcomes published to the school community

Our Teams:

• PALs
• Thomson Garden Team
• Events Team
• Sports Leaders
• OPAL Leaders
• Assembly Team
• School Council
• House Captains
• Reading Rangers
• Librarians
• RISE team
• Well being leaders
• Premises Team
• Cultural Team
• French Team
• Digital Leaders
• Stayng safe Team
• Lunchtime Team
• Arts Ambassadors
• Humanities Team
• Maths Ambassadors
• Forest School Leaders
• Community Champions

Our Bottesford Leadership Team is a key part of life at Bottesford Schools Federation. It reflects our commitment to the RISE values by empowering pupils to do what’s right, help others and reach their best. Through training, support and genuine opportunities to influence change, our leaders help build a respectful, resilient and engaged school community.