Developing Pupil Leadership across Toynbee is key, as when given the opportunity young people can have a profound impact on their school. We recognise that pupils have logical perspectives and opinions on issues that matter in the classroom, in the school, and in the community. Therefore, we are committed to giving pupils an active role in influencing decisions about these issues as well as in the implementation of these decisions.

Involvement in leadership activities can improve pupils’ learning as well as helping them to develop the skills and traits needed for success outside of the classroom. Leadership can help you develop your written and verbal communication skills as well as organisation, prioritising and listening to others amongst other skills you will develop.

Toynbee aims to increase the opportunity for Pupil Leadership across the school and to enhance the input pupils have with rewards, whole school events and pupil well-being.

The Pupil Leadership Team

The Pupil Leadership Team consists of a 22-person executive, each with their own roles/responsibilities to help move Toynbee School forward.

 Within the Pupil Leadership Team, there are:

• Two Head Prefects
• Two Deputy Head Prefects
• Six Senior Prefects
• Twelve Prefects

 The Pupil Leadership Team takes on a diverse array of roles, including:

• Leading School Council
• Organising and running charity days
• Duties and responsibilities across the school
• Running and supporting school events
• Meeting with students and staff alike to coordinate efforts to improve the school

The appointment process is opened up to Year 10s in March, with the Pupil Leadership Team confirmed and in place by May.

School Council

School Council was relaunched in 2022 with a new structure that focuses on individual School Council Leaders being able to have a voice and make change on the issues that they care about most.

Each form group elects two School Council Leaders at the start of the academic year. These School Council Leaders attend half-termly meetings where, in their individual sub-groups as well as an entire council, they identify areas for improvement and change across the school. Along with the Pupil Leadership Team, they then devise meaningful solutions for these areas.

The School Council is split into the following sub-groups:
1.      Environment
2.      Diversity
3.      Mental Health and Wellbeing
4.      Teaching and Learning
5.      Enrichment
6.      Charity

Model United Nations

Model UN is brand new here at Toynbee for 2022. Students have the opportunity to practice and act out the everyday workings of the UN, taking on the profile of a given random country. This includes negotiating with other ‘countries’ over mock international crises, such as war or famine, as well as debating contemporary issues and trying to find balanced and meaningful solutions to today’s problems. Model UN has been highly successful internationally, with a vast network of schools around the UK and the world participating both individually and at national/international meets. Model UN would give Toynbee students the opportunity to practice and hone skills of leadership and debate essential to tomorrow’s leaders. It is chaired by Mr Pople who runs it fortnightly.