1. COBIS Programme for Student Leadership
British School Muscat

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. cpsl
COBIS Programme for Student Leadership
British School Muscat