Character & Leadership Arc

Element 

How

Leadership theory 

• King's academic tutors use novel leadership packages to help students learn about the basics of leadership, how to be a leader, a better follower, and a strong team member. 

Practical application of leadership 

• In Years 7 and 8, students participate in many activities. These include enrichment sessions, super learning days, and residentials to the Lake District and North Wales. Day to day leadership positions and opportunities are available as part of everyday school life. 

Element 

How

Leadership theory 

• During Years 9 to 11 staff continue to teach the theory of leadership. Students learn to make links between leadership and their character lessons.  

Practical application of leadership 

• Students participate in the Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) award scheme. In Year 9 they begin DoE and aim to complete their silver award by the end of Year 11. 

• Students who are part of the Combined Cadet Force can become non-commissioned officers (NCOs). Becoming an NCO provides students with additional leadership opportunities. These students become role models to junior cadets. Across the trust, NCOs help inform and deliver training programmes to student cadets. 

• Day-to-day school life provides opportunities for all students to develop their leadership skills and influence what a student’s experience at King's looks like. 

Leadership is a complex science 

Learning about the determination to change, vision and inspiration, being able to take calculated risks and effective teamwork is essential. These leadership attributes are developed through our ‘character’ ASPIRE programme and our DRIVE business and enterprise programme. 

The ‘stretch and flow’ process 

‘Stretching’ students outside their comfort zone are vital. We teach students new ideas about leadership and expose them to a range of challenging experiences and situations. Students learn to apply their learning. This creates a sense of ‘flow’. 

Principles of leadership theory 

Using our innovative leadership programme, staff deliver a weekly programme of classroom-based and experiential learning activities. Through our annual residential programme and leadership-based enrichment activities, skilled leadership ‘facilitators’ provide students with a practical perspective of leadership. 

Exposure to positive role models 

Younger students learn from, and interact with, existing, well-respected student leaders. Our younger students watch and learn from the best. They learn to model the same leadership behaviours and evolve into the next generation of student leaders. 

Multiple sources of learning 

Structured curriculum time provides students with the opportunity to reflect, learn from one another and learn about themselves. Knowledgeable leaders deliver new leadership ideas and/or content in both classroom and outdoor settings. In addition, a variety of external speakers share their life experiences and professional ‘flight paths’ through our ‘world of work’ programme. 

Theory into practice 

Students are taught about differing leadership perspectives. These include ‘John Adair’s ‘Action Centred Leadership Theory’ to ‘Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’. Students learn about theories of human motivation, including ‘self-deception’, and aspects of self-determination theory. Outdoor education and residentials provide students with the opportunity to put leadership theory into practice. 

When the academy ends leadership does not 

Using our ‘5 level leadership competency framework’, students commit to learning independently. Each level includes a ‘service’ award in ‘leadership through community service’ within the wider area. The King's leadership framework aligns with the DoE bronze award in Year 9 and silver award in Years 10 and 11.