Student Voice
Ridgeway Academy ensures students are at the heart of everything we do. We ensure students are able to voice their opinions, take on leadership roles and become ambassadors for Ridgeway.
“I decided to run for Head Girl because since Year 7, it’s always been an aspiration of mine. I am a very proud student of Ridgeway Academy and it makes me so happy to know that I can now give back to the school for everything that the staff and students have helped me with. Myself, along with Nile, Melissa and Stuart, are all very looking forward to the year ahead and to making our school an exciting place for everyone.” The Ridgeway Academy develops student voice through active focus groups, who meet half termly with members of the school community, including the Senior Leadership Team, Heads of House, Directors of Learning and members of the Sixth Form Leadership Team. They are able to feed back to their peers and bring forward any ideas or concerns which they may have; the aim is to allow students to take ownership of their school and be an integral part of making Ridgeway Academy the best it can be. “I decided to run for Head Boy as it has always been a goal for me. Even though the process was a little daunting at first, I’m glad I stuck with it as I can now use it as experience for later on in life. Since the first day I joined Ridgeway, the teachers and members of staff have been there to help and guide me, which I can only thank them for. They have taught me valuable life lessons and skills that I hope to use to my advantage once I leave Ridgeway and go off into the world of adult life. Myself and the rest of the leadership team look forward to the year ahead, and we can’t wait to start making an impact at the school.” Each form group from Years 7 to 10 has four representatives; one from each house. Each house group also appoints a ‘House Captain’. House Captains support the Heads of House to develop opportunities for widening participation and support our school charities and the wider local communities. Students from across the school are also given the opportunity to become ‘Eco Ambassadors’, as part of the ‘Eco-Schools Award’ scheme. Subject areas also offer leadership opportunities within their Departments. These subject ambassadors are awarded throughout the year. There is also a highly prestigious Sports Leadership Programme which has allowed a vast number of students to take on leadership roles both within school and within the local community and primary school network. (See Physical Education curriculum link for more information). “I have been at the school for 6 years now and decided to run in the student leadership team process as I believed it would be a great way to give back to the school for the support they have given me since I have been a student here. Throughout my time I have had many roles of responsibility from being a Science Ambassador in Year 7 to being a prefect in Year 10. I was also a sports leader for multiple years, through these positions I have developed skills which I believe I can improve while carrying out my role, while also giving back to the school.” Our school ethos encourages all students to work together to enhance their learning experience and provides many opportunities for student leadership. Student panels form a key element of our recruitment processes. Students gain valuable skills through involvement in interview panels, conducting visitor tours of the school and meeting and greeting parents at school events. They also play a key role in our Year 6/7 transition programme. Our Sports Leaders run Sports Clubs and sporting events for Primary Schools. New in 2018 was the introduction of ‘Speak Up!’ a new debating society. We hope to see the debating society grow from strength to strength as we hold our termly Inter-House debating competitions. Key Stage 4 students also have the opportunity to apply for a Prefect position which allows them to undertake further leadership roles, including weekly duties and peer reading. These students are outstanding ambassadors for Ridgeway Academy and provide excellent role models for younger students. “I chose to run to be a part of the student leadership team in hope to give something back to the school after all the support over the last six years. Whilst the application process was daunting, I believe it has allowed me to understand the interview process which will help me later in life. The teachers that have guided me and the long- lasting friendships I’ve made, have made my time at Ridgeway Academy amazing as well as providing me with skills I’ll need for the rest of my life!”
Head Girl – Lauren Sommerville
Head Boy – Nile Stanton
Deputy Head Boy – Stuart Plumb
Deputy Head Girl – Melissa Aylott
