At Yavneh, we strongly believe student leadership is one of the essential strands of personal development. We encourage all students to take on leadership roles in our Yavneh community and believe this is vital to developing our values and vision.
The Junior Leadership Team
The Junior Leadership Team (JLT) is a key component of “student voice” at Yavneh College. There is a JLT for each year group, led by one member of the senior prefect team. Each form group elects two members to represent them throughout the year. Meetings (40 minutes) are held once a half term and the minutes from each meeting are shared with the Head of Sixth Form and then discussed with the senior leadership team.
The JLT provides students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills from an early stage, contributing to the life of the school through student voice initiatives, events, and community projects. JLT members act as positive role models, working closely with staff to represent the views of their peers and help shape the student experience.
Alan Senitt Upstanders Leadership Programme (ASULP)
For Year 10 pupils, ASULP brings together students from different faiths and backgrounds to explore leadership and community action. Participants learn about diverse cultures and religions while developing skills that empower them to make a positive difference in their local communities. Pupils also design and lead their own projects, including creating recipe books for children with additional needs, preparing holiday packs for children in poverty, collecting hats and bandanas for children with alopecia, and running a party for young carers.
Our school proudly delivers the The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) as a key part of our Student Leadership programme.
Students begin their DofE journey in Year 9 with the Bronze Award, with opportunities to progress to Silver and ultimately Gold by Year 13. This structured pathway allows students to develop confidence, resilience and leadership skills over several years.
The DofE Journey at Our School
Bronze (Year 9)
Students complete four sections:
- Volunteering
- Physical
- Skills
- Expedition (2 days, 1 night)
Silver (typically Year 10/11)
- Increased commitment in each section
- 3-day expedition
Gold (Sixth Form – up to Year 13)
- Greater depth and independence
- 4-day expedition
- Residential section
Proactive Training & Preparation
We provide structured, proactive training days to fully prepare students for their expeditions, including:
- Navigation and map reading
- Camp craft and equipment use
- First aid and safety
- Teamwork and leadership developmentOur school proudly delivers the The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) as a key part of our Student Leadership programme.Students begin their DofE journey in Year 9 with the Bronze Award, with opportunities to progress to Silver and ultimately Gold by Year 13. This structured pathway allows students to develop confidence, resilience and leadership skills over several years.The DofE Journey at Our School
Bronze (Year 9)
Students complete four sections:- Volunteering
- Physical
- Skills
- Expedition (2 days, 1 night)
Silver (typically Year 10/11)
- Increased commitment in each section
- 3-day expedition
Gold (Sixth Form – up to Year 13)
- Greater depth and independence
- 4-day expedition
- Residential section
Proactive Training & Preparation
We provide structured, proactive training days to fully prepare students for their expeditions, including:
- Navigation and map reading
- Camp craft and equipment use
- First aid and safety
- Teamwork and leadership development
- Practice expeditions
Our experienced staff ensure students are well prepared, supported and appropriately challenged at every stage.
Building Leaders for Life
Participation in DofE strengthens university, apprenticeship and career applications while developing independence, teamwork, perseverance and community awareness.
From Year 9 through to Year 13, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award provides a powerful and progressive leadership journey that supports students in becoming confident, capable and socially responsible young adults.
- Practice expeditions
Our experienced staff ensure students are well prepared, supported and appropriately challenged at every stage.
Building Leaders for Life
Participation in DofE strengthens university, apprenticeship and career applications while developing independence, teamwork, perseverance and community awareness.
From Year 9 through to Year 13, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award provides a powerful and progressive leadership journey that supports students in becoming confident, capable and socially responsible young adults.
Yoni Jesner Award (Year 8)
Open to Years 8, the Yoni Jesner Award encourages pupils s to engage with their community, inspired by Yoni Jesner, an inspirational youth leader tragically killed in a bus attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 2002. Pupils volunteer in shuls, charities, and local projects. Awards are given for 20, 50, and 100 hours of volunteering, with achievements celebrated at an annual ceremony featuring inspirational speakers and Yoni’s story, highlighting the power of giving back.
What is Gratitude?
Building Confidence, Purpose and Community Through Service
Gratitude is proud to partner with Yavneh School in a unique, values-led programme that supports students through meaningful service and guided learning. We are delighted to have now hosted our seventh group of students from Yavneh School. This long-standing collaboration continues to demonstrate the powerful impact of learning beyond the classroom.
Each visit to Gratitude is carefully structured and split between learning time and service time, allowing students to put ideas around values, ethics, personal growth and contribution into practice. This term, there has been a strong focus on reflection, emotional awareness, and how purposeful action can positively impact self-worth, mental health, and positive behaviour.
Students work diligently and cooperatively as a team, learning how to coordinate themselves, communicate effectively, and commit to shared responsibilities. This year, they have played a vital role in preparing food packages for children receiving free school meals across several local primary schools. They have also supported foodbank operations and deliveries, and helped sort donated toys that have been sent to Ukraine and local hospitals. Their sense of achievement and ownership grows visibly with each session.
We are incredibly grateful to Yavneh School for trusting us with their students and for sharing a mutual belief in education that extends beyond the classroom. Together, we are helping young people build confidence, empathy and resilience, alongside a genuine understanding of how their actions contribute to a stronger, kinder community for everyone.
- To help Yavneh students cope with any challenging or difficult social situations.
- To ensure all pupils have an older student available to ask for help and who can direct them towards appropriate advice and/or support.
This committee was established in 2021 in the aftermath of the Sarah Everard murder and the growing national spotlight on the issue of sexual harassment.
The aim of the committee is to ensure that the students themselves can help play a role in further educating students about respect and appropriate behaviour towards each other.
Role of the committee:
- Meet once a half term with either the Head of Sixth Form and/or Headteacher.
- To further develop pupil voice and lines of communication with senior leadership with regard to the issues of respect, sexual harassment and consent.
- To ensure that the committee is “relaunched” every year for Year 12 students at the start of the summer term.
- To play a direct role in the delivery of a lower school PSHE lesson on a topic related to the goals of the Kavod Committee.
- To visit assemblies across the school with the purpose of introducing all students in the school to the members of the committee and highlight their role and goals.
- To produce a poster to be put up across the school publicising the committee and its role.
- To establish a confidential email address for students to contact their assigned member of the committee if they wish to speak to them directly and ask for their support.
Volunteering at YPS
Our Year 9 pupils do some brilliant volunteering at Yavneh Primary School. A group of Year 9 pupils, some selected, others keen volunteers, visit YPS throughout the week to support the younger children and help them with their learning. Every day, a group of our pupils goes into Reception to help the little ones with their early literacy and numeracy skills, working with them in small groups or one‑to‑one. We also have a team who visit once a week to support pupils with their Hebrew reading. The Year 9s bring so much enthusiasm and patience to their volunteering, and it’s lovely to see how much the primary pupils benefit.
English:
The English Ambassadors are an excellent support to the English department, offering weekly peer support with the English Clinic, and providing opportunities for pupil voice to the department. The team support pupils with improving their reading and writing skills, and are also innovative with helping pupils submit writing to competitions as well as coming up with activities and competitions within school.
Student Librarians
The Student Librarians provide a voluntary service to the library and the school community. The minimum commitment is one year, and students work in shifts on a roster system. Student Librarians must be confident, responsible, dedicated, friendly, and punctual, with a love for reading or a willingness to develop one. They are expected to always promote and demonstrate the Yavneh Way.
Their responsibilities include:
- Issuing and returning books, ensuring the smooth operation of library circulation
- Shelving books and straightening shelves
- Assisting library users with finding information and answering reference queries
- Helping library users with OPAC searches and general computer queries
- Displaying, advertising, and promoting the library and its books
- Helping to maintain a welcoming, friendly, and quiet library environment
- Enforcing library rules, including no eating or drinking in the library
Prefects
Any student can apply to be a school prefect at the end of year 11. All prefects serve for the duration of Year 12. Students will be assigned a subject/department to work with as well a weekly lunch duty.
The subject prefect duties include a wide range responsibilities including helping with open evenings, putting up displays, running extra-curricular clubs, supporting GCSE revision clubs and many more.
Our Prefect Team plays an important role in supporting the day-to-day life of the school. Prefects assist with events, mentor younger students, and contribute to creating a positive and respectful school environment. The role allows students to demonstrate responsibility, teamwork, and service while developing key leadership skills.
House Captains
A few students from each house are selected from the prefects to represent each of the school houses. Under the supervision of Mrs Max (Head of IJE) the house captains perform a range of duties which include delivering assemblies to the lower school, working with the IJE department in many ways during festivals and events and playing an active role supporting each house during sports days.
Senior Prefects
Any Year 12 student can apply to be a senior prefect. As well as acting as role models for all students in the school, our senior prefects will each be responsible for an individual JLT year group where they will run a half termly meeting and feedback to the Head of Sixth Form. Senior prefects will also have the opportunity to represent the school in a range of ways including giving tours to perspective parents and guests, speaking at prize days and open evenings and playing an active role in “student voice” through regular meetings with the Head of Sixth Form.
The senior prefect team support major school initiatives, events, and student representation. They act as ambassadors for the school community, modelling high standards of conduct while helping to guide and support younger students.
Year 13 Leadership Course in Yahadut
In partnership with IJE and Tribe, Year 13 students explore leadership through interactive sessions. Drawing inspiration from leaders in the Tenach and modern times, they develop skills in public speaking, role modelling, creative thinking, and more. The course culminates in a student-led session for Yavneh Primary School, giving participants real-world leadership experience.
Give Back (Year 12)
Year 12 students take part in Give Back by volunteering across Yavneh Primary School and Yavneh College. This helps them develop practical skills, build relationships, and live our value of Olam Chessed Yibaneh – a world built on kindness. Students gain transferable skills like leadership, teamwork, and empathy, make connections across the Yavneh schools, and leave a lasting mark on the community.
Am Echad Opportunities
Am Echad, the schools’ charitable initiative, allows students to support a local, an Israeli, and a UK Jewish charity each year. Pupils plan and run fundraising events, raising over £10,000 annually, while developing teamwork, organisation, and leadership skills.
Design & Technology
Within the Design & Technology department, our student monitors demonstrate exceptional leadership through their involvement in school enterprise initiatives and their role in running the Makerspace lunchtime club. These student leaders guide their peers in using advanced equipment including laser cutter and 3D printer, while also supervising various woodworking projects during these extracurricular sessions.
Alan Senitt Upstanders Leadership Programme (ASULP)
A level Maths students support younger pupils through topics in Maths they find challenging. This takes place during one Form Time per week.
In addition to this, since 2021, Yavneh College has run an annual Masterclass programme in partnership with the Royal Institution of Great Britain (Ri), strengthening links between Yavneh College and Yavneh Primary School while providing valuable leadership opportunities for A-level students.
The programme was first introduced in early 2021 following the enthusiasm and determination of a gifted Year 12 student, Josh Morris, who was inspired by the Royal Institution’s long-standing tradition of connecting young people with science. The Ri has been at the forefront of scientific education for over 200 years, working with world-leading scientists and delivering nationally recognised Masterclasses. Originally inspired by Sir Christopher Zeeman over 40 years ago, the Masterclass programme has grown into a nationwide initiative offering Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science courses for students aged 9 to 18.
Each year, A-level students plan and deliver a series of Masterclasses to Year 6 pupils at Yavneh Primary School. These sessions are consistently highly successful, with younger pupils fully engaged and inspired by advanced STEM concepts ranging from algorithms to molecular structure nomenclature. The Year 6 pupils show great enthusiasm for their learning, while the Sixth Form students demonstrate outstanding preparation, effort and creativity, using active learning strategies to make complex ideas accessible and engaging.
This programme continues to be a valuable and well-established partnership, benefiting both primary and secondary pupils while developing the next generation of STEM leaders.
Royal Institution STEM Masterclasses – Yavneh College
The Royal Institution of Great Britain – Yavneh College
Royal Institution – Yavneh College
Yavneh Sixth Formers excel at Primary Masterclasses – July 2021 – Yavneh College
MFL
- Student led assembly for Yom Hazikaron
- Sixth Form students supporting Year 11 revision
- Sixth Form students developing a language Magazine (shared with students via Padlet)
Leadership is a key focus within the Physical Education curriculum, with structured opportunities for pupils to develop essential skills across Key Stage 3 and beyond.
Within curriculum time, pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 complete a range of leadership-focused lessons. In Year 7, the emphasis is on developing social skills and positive interaction. Year 8 pupils take part in Outdoor and Adventurous Activities (OAA), where teamwork, problem-solving and communication are central. In Year 9, pupils build on these foundations through dedicated leadership activities. Across all year groups, pupils progress from working in small groups on simple challenges to collaborating in larger teams to solve more complex problems. Key skills developed include verbal and non-verbal communication, teamwork, listening, planning and organisation.
The PE BTEC course provides further leadership opportunities through the planning and delivery of sports sessions. Pupils learn how to plan effective sessions based on case studies before delivering warm-ups and skill-based practices to their peers and younger pupils within the school. Throughout the course, pupils gain first-hand experience of what it takes to be an effective sports leader and are encouraged to apply these skills when supporting and running school events.
Leadership is also promoted through school sports teams, where team captains are appointed for most fixtures and competitions. Captains take on a range of responsibilities, including organising equipment and kit, checking player availability and selecting teams where appropriate. They liaise closely with the PE department and play an important role in ensuring teams are prepared and organised for fixtures. Captains are selected throughout the year for different sports and tournaments, allowing many pupils the opportunity to take on leadership roles.
Subject prefects play a vital role in supporting the PE department both within lessons and during extra-curricular activities. They work alongside staff to support pupils on a one-to-one basis, assist with the running of clubs and help manage equipment. Subject prefects also make a significant contribution to large-scale events such as Sports Day, helping to ensure these events run smoothly and successfully.
In addition, pupils are given opportunities to support local primary schools through a range of sporting activities and events. The department regularly hosts primary school competitions, including indoor athletics, where pupils help to organise and run events. Pupils also support primary school sports days, applying the leadership skills and attributes they have developed through the PE curriculum.
Year 7 Lunch Club
Our Year 7 Lunch Club is entirely organised and run by our fantastic Year 9 pupils, who take full ownership of planning a different activity each week. So far, they’ve delivered sessions ranging from origami and balloon‑animal making to Just Dance, karaoke, and exploring musical instruments, with plenty more exciting ideas still to come. The club not only showcases the impressive leadership, creativity, and responsibility shown by our Year 9s, but also creates a safe, friendly space where Year 7 pupils can relax, build confidence, and get to know others in a fun, informal setting. It has been great to see positive interactions grow between the year groups, helping to strengthen our sense of community and support across the school.
