COBIS Programme for Student Leadership British School Muscat

the concept Using the principles of the COBIS Programme for Middle Leaders To develop a COBIS Programme for Student Leaders British School Muscat

British School Muscat rationale British School Muscat Schools rightly put students into positions of responsibility. The role of Student Voice, Student Leadership and Student Impact have become a common and much-valued feature of many educational institutions, both in the UK and internationally. However, often students are placed into these positions with little or no training and minimal support structures. Head Boys and Girls can go from average GCSE student to leading the student body, sometimes with very little formal preparation or opportunity to consider how they lead their peers and why. The COBIS Programme for Student Leaders (CPSL) is a response to this. British School Muscat Based on the principles of the NCSL’s International Programme for Middle Leadership in schools, British School Muscat is developing a Student Leadership programme which will see students undertake a leadership role in school which focuses on a specific and real area of school improvement, but most importantly which supports them to learn about leadership in the process. Through this programme we aim to give students real and meaningful responsibility in order to have a genuine impact on school life, as well as develop valuable skills for the 21st Century. British School Muscat

The CPSL Model British School Muscat Programme Structure The project challenge The CPSL has three stages, which helps participants focus on learning about leading, developing their own leadership and leading others. All participants will be expected to participate in a ‘Project Challenge’. This is a project they work on in groups throughout the year as defined by themselves or by the school. Participants will do this by Undertaking a Project Challenge within their school reading and reflecting on key think pieces Engaging in discussion and activities at 5 face to face days Keeping an online blog of their leadership and project development Applying their learning to their projects in school Facilitating and passing on their projects to a new cohort of students Stage 1 Introduction and Preparation Students will find out about: The programme and its benefits Other participants Where they are on their leadership journey Choosing a project Joining a project team The strengths and weaknesses in their own leadership skills Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Learning about Leadership Impact and Projects Leading others Students will engage in face to face, online and school-base learning on: Leading Effective Teams Leading Change Developing Creativity, Innovation &Ideas Being a Mindful Leader Developing your own Leadership Potential & Legacy Students will work on their projects as part of project teams, including: Implementing their project Maintaining a blog about their leadership development Preparing for the Leadership Conference Students will: Present at the Leadership Conference Review their project for the next cohort Consider how their experience may lead to next steps (UCAS, Uni, Post-16) Deliver part of the training/modules for the new cohort Online participation with peers in school and other COBIS schools and support from school-based facilitators British School Muscat

The CPSL Leadership Competencies What are the benefits for students? Leadership Competencies By participating in the programme students will develop their leadership competencies. This will enable participants to: Develop a deep understanding of leadership and its application Lead key changes in the development of the school Engage in a deep version of Student Impact, with definite and meaningful outcomes Develop the competencies required for future success in learning and life. Conceptual Thinking Serving others Collaboration Relating to others Resourcefulness Taking Responsibility Developing Confidence Reflective Developing Curiosity Self Motivation Community Open Mindedness What are the benefits for schools? Analytical Thinking Inspiring Others Making a contribution Managing Self By taking part in the CPSL participants will be able to make a contribution to the development of the school and the school community as follows: Deeper and more meaningful student leadership and engagement Genuine ‘student voice’ with students working on real project that have impact and a legacy Developing a range of skills in students that will help their learning Secure Individuals Resourceful Learners and Leaders Respectful Contributors British School Muscat

The CPSL Modules British School Muscat Programme content Module 1 The project challenge Programme content Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Leading Effective Teams Leading Change Developing Creativity, Ideas & Innovation Being a Mindful Leader Developing your own Leadership Potential & Legacy What makes an effective team Building your team Creating a strategy and plan Setting SMART targets Coaching your peers Managing your resources Understanding organisational structure and processes Leadership strengths & weaknesses audit Applied: Develop understanding of how to build your project team Understanding the change processes Understanding the catalysts of change Planning for change Overcoming barriers to change Applied: Develop understanding of how to implement your change What is creativity and where do ideas come from External and internal conditions that lead to creativity Trialing and refining your ideas How do you pitch an idea Applied: Developing your Project Challenge Understanding others Leading with compassion The self-aware leader Wellbeing, balance and resilience Courageous conversations Developing Mindfulness Applied: Leading your Project Challenge Mindfully Considering how CPSL learning can support with next steps Identifying how you will handover your project to a newcomer Planning to develop other’s leadership Applied Learning: Presenting your Project Challenge British School Muscat

The Proposed CPSL Project Challenge Project Challenges The Project Challenge is the main way in which participants put their leadership into practice in school. Students will choose to join and potentially lead a project team from one of the six areas below. These will be cross-year group (and possibly cross-phase) teams of students with a specific interest in that area. The teams will be supported in the task of developing real, high impact and meaningful projects to work on at school, as agreed and confirmed with the Leadership Team. Similar to the Leadership Challenge in the CPSL, these projects must link to a development priority of the school and in turn must be fully supported by the leadership of the school. Digital & Media for Learning Developing Teaching & Learning Fundraising & Events Environment & Community Sports & Well-Being Beyond BSM: International Links Supported by School Leadership Team British School Muscat

How the Project Challenges work Students choose an area of interest from the those outlined below, or may develop their own project challenge. Through the CPSL they are encouraged to develop ideas on how they might lead a school project within these areas. Module 3 specifically helps them to do this. They will be encouraged to think big. The projects will be developed in consultation with the leadership team and will involve running both events that are already part of the school calendar as well as developing significant and meaningful additions to them. Example Project Challenges Digital & Media for Learning Developing digital support for teachers Running the school blog Running and developing further the BSM social media channels Environment & Community Developing school-based projects that improve the local environment Developing projects that contribute to the local community Sports & Well-Being Running the major sports events of the year Developing the inter-house competition Developing ways in which the school may promote well-being Developing Teaching & Learning Leading the student voice in feedback on T&L Developing a strategy on how students can improve T&L Creating a Fundraising & Events Leading BSM’s charity events throughout the year Organising the annual prom and fashion show Developing new events for charity fund-raising Beyond BSM: International Links Developing BSM’s relationship with partner schools Creating new and meaningful links with organisations beyond Muscat and Oman British School Muscat

40 places available at BSM Who is it for? CPSL 40 places available at BSM Years 5 & 6 Years 10, 11, 12 & 13 Challenges Everyone British School Muscat

How do students complete? Completion Criteria Attend all face-to-face days (currently expected to be 27th&29th October, 21st January, 30th March & 1st April). Some of these dates take place at the weekend so please check in advance if you would be available. Lead a Project Challenge team Meet with your Project Challenge team at least once a week. This will likely be after school or at break times depending on your team’s availability. Work in a team to make a plan of action. Maintain a learning log and reflect on both the success and challenges you have experienced. Present to pupils and staff about your project and what you have learnt as a leader. Get involved in the online learning community British School Muscat

cpsl COBIS Programme for Student Leadership British School Muscat