Student Leadership
We believe that students should have the opportunity to participate actively in academy life by taking up roles and responsibilities throughout the academic year in order to contribute to whole school improvement.
This is key to a deeper student engagement and enables our students to participate in the sort of leadership opportunities which prepare them for life in modern democratic Britain and a global society. A society where we value equal opportunities and one in which a variety of beliefs and opinions are heard.
The aims of student leadership at Verulam is to help our young people to build relationships and enable others to make a difference in our world. It is a shared process of building a stronger community, improving the way things are done, developing better relationships, showing compassion for others. As can be seen below student leadership opportunities also focus on improving the quality of learning and teaching in the classroom, supporting the school’s aim to be a place where everyone enjoys learning, is creative, happy to try new things, find new solutions and embrace their responsibilities. At Verulam, there are countless opportunities every day for our students to practise their leaderships skills; leading parts of lessons, assisting their form tutor, helping to run clubs and workshops, charity fundraising, Sports Leadership Award, DofE. There is a comprehensive list available to students.
Prefect System
Prefects support the staff by carrying out duties that support the smooth running of the school.
School Captain, Vice Captains and Senior Prefects take the majority of responsibility of the prefect system. They are assisted by house and subject prefects. The Senior Prefect Team take particular responsibility for running events such as Abbey Service.
Year 11 and 10 prefects support the sixth form prefects with particular jobs such as supervision in the canteen and also provide a valuable service by touring the school with prospective parents or job applicants. Below Year 10 each class have positions of responsibility held by students who are responsible to the Head of Year or Form Tutor.
School Council
At the start of each term elections are held for each form to choose school council rep. Each form in years 7 – 11 elects one representative to each position.  Students are then encouraged to write a letter of application to be part of the School Council which is led by two six form prefects. There is one representative from each form on the council who meet each half-term and minutes and meetings are co-ordinated by The Senior Prefect Team.
All staff are welcome to become involved with the School Council and should seek to use it for consultation, organisation, evaluation, ideas etc. as often as possible. The more involved pupils are made to feel in the running of the school and the more they feel respected and valued, the better relationships are likely to be.  Staff and pupils should see the Council as an important consultative body within the school and it is hoped that pupils will consider it prestigious and a valuable learning experience when elected to serve on it.
Civic Duty Programme
At Verulam we have a strong belief in the benefit of creating meaningful and sustainable partnerships which have a positive impact on society and help others.
There is a genuine desire among students and staff to engage in partnership and charitable work and a commitment to share our expertise, energy and facilities for the benefit of all within our local and wider community.
We give our students the opportunity to contribute to our Civic Duty Programme, regularly volunteering in the community in primary schools, supporting enrichment lessons, summer schools, supporting local, national and internal charities through volunteering and fundraising.
At Verulam, students are actively encouraged to give their time and energy as well as contributing financially. Each year, the school chooses one main charity which students raise money through events throughout the year, in addition to their chosen House charity.
