At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we are committed to developing responsible, confident pupils who contribute positively to our school community. One way we do this is through our Pupil Leadership Team, a group of Year 2 pupils who take on key leadership roles throughout the academic year to support staff, model expectations, and help ensure our school is a safe, inclusive, and happy place to learn.
This initiative is directly linked to the teaching of British Values, particularly democracy, and offers meaningful opportunities for pupils to practise leadership, and active citizenship from an early age.
In the 2025–2026 academic year, our Pupil Leadership Team is being led by Mrs Ellis, who was responsible for overseeing the application process, elections, training, and ongoing support for all pupil leaders.
How Are Pupil Leaders Chosen?
The Pupil Leadership Team was selected during Autumn 1 Term each academic year through a democratic and inclusive process:
- All Year 2 pupils were given the opportunity to nominate themselves for leadership roles should they wish to be considered.
- A shortlisting process followed, based on a clear set of criteria. Candidates were considered for their:
- Positive behaviour and role modelling
- Commitment to our school vision, values and diamond promises
- Communication and teamwork skills
- Willingness to help and support others
- Reliability and enthusiasm
- Shortlisted candidates were shared with the school community, and all pupils were invited to vote in a pupil election, held to coincide with International Democracy Day. A ballot box was provided to support a realistic and purposeful experience of the voting process.
- The newly elected team were announced in a whole school assembly.
This approach gives children early exposure to democratic systems and fosters a sense of pride and ownership in their school community.
Leadership Roles (2025–2026)
We successfully appointed a well rounded team of pupil leaders to support different aspects of school life:
- 4 x Corridor Monitors
- 2 x Lunchtime Leaders
- 2 x Reading Leaders
- 12 x Playtime Leaders (4 assigned to each year group: Reception, Year 1, and Year 2)
Each role comes with clearly defined responsibilities that promote independence, leadership, and a commitment to shared values.
Role Descriptions
Corridor Monitors:
- Encourage children to walk safely on the left in corridors
- Monitor the toilets to ensure they are clean and being used appropriately
- Ensure children go outside during lunchtime play
- Distribute water bottle boxes for pupils who need access
Lunchtime Leaders:
- Support children in the dining hall to eat independently and make healthy choices
- Model positive behaviour and table manners
- Promote the Diamond Promises during lunch
- Assist lunchtime supervisors in maintaining a calm and clean environment
Reading Leaders:
- Promote a love of reading across the school
- Support reading events, such as story time sessions or book fairs
- Champion our reading culture by helping peers engage with books
Playtime Leaders:
- Facilitate inclusive and friendly play during lunchtime breaks
- Help younger pupils feel safe and included on the playground
- Encourage fair play, problem solving, and collaboration among peers
Why Pupil Leadership Matters
The Pupil Leadership Team plays a vital role in shaping school culture and empowering children to take ownership of their environment. These roles help to:
- Develop confidence and communication skills
- Encourage responsibility and empathy
- Promote positive behaviour and peer support
- Create opportunities for pupil voice and influence
Through this model, we are helping children understand that leadership is about collaboration, and making a difference, all while reinforcing the values we hold as a school community.
Class-Based Leadership Opportunities
In addition to the central Pupil Leadership Team, pupils across all year groups have the chance to take on classroom-based leadership roles. These roles provide another layer of responsibility and ownership, helping children feel a sense of pride and purpose in their class communities.
Beginning in Autumn Term 1, teachers appointed classroom leaders based on individual strengths, readiness, and interest. Roles include:
- Register Monitor – Responsible for taking any paper registers or notes back to the school office
- Snack Monitor – Collects class snacks daily, distributes them, and returns baskets to the catering team
- Team Leaders – Oversees small learning teams within the class, helping to hand out resources, encourage participation, and support positive behaviour choices
Additional roles may be introduced depending on the needs and dynamics of each class. As a four-form entry school, consistency is key, so wherever possible, the same core roles are offered across all classes to ensure equity and opportunity for all pupils.
Eco Council
Please note that our school also has a separate Eco Council, focused specifically on sustainability, environmental awareness, and green initiatives across the school. To find out more about the Eco Council and its projects, click the link below visit our dedicated Eco Schools page, where you’ll find up to date information, goals, and ongoing initiatives.
Our Commitment to Inclusive Leadership
Across all leadership roles, whether school wide, classroom based, or part of our Eco Council, we are committed to ensuring that our leadership groups reflect the diversity of our pupil community. We actively encourage representation across gender, SEND, disadvantaged pupils, and other key groups, so that every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to contribute.
Leadership is not about being the loudest or the fastest, it’s about making a positive difference, and every child deserves the opportunity to lead.