Student Leadership
The Prefect Team
At Yardleys we believe in helping every child achieve their potential, their potential of being the best person they can be. To us every child’s Personal Development is paramount to them being successful members of society. One of the ways in which we do this is via our Leadership programme. Every student has the opportunity to take a role of responsibility, whether it is Form Captain, Vice form Captain, Year Captain, Eco Leader or Prefect in the later years. Our prefects are carefully selected through a rigorous application process. Students need to first apply and then those with successful applications will continue through to the interview stage. This will help our students develop their interview skills and give them experience at a formal College/ University/ Career application process.
Being a Prefect is all about developing ‘Soft Skills’, skills you will not necessarily learn in a classroom setting when preparing for exams.
Prefects also have the opportunity to apply for the position of Head Prefects. Each applicant is required to do a short task that would then lead to an interview with the Head Teacher. These students will go onto represent the school and become the student voice on our School Council.
Temi Onikute – Senior Head Prefect
Yardleys School is not just a place of learning, but also an institution that values both academic excellence and moral principles, shaping its pupils into responsible members of society. From my early years at Yardleys, I knew I wanted to become a prefect. I am grateful for the leadership opportunities I’ve had, such as being a form captain and PE ambassador, which have prepared me for the role of Head Prefect. This position allows me to give back to the school by serving as a role model, offering support to students, and representing Yardleys with respect and integrity.
I understand the responsibilities that come with this role and approach each task with determination. As part of the student leadership team, I aim to bring ideas that benefit the school community, such as my suggestion during the interview to have each form donate to different charities, enhancing the school's impact and reputation. Yardleys has also helped me develop real-world leadership skills through mock interviews and resume-building, which will benefit me in my future career and personal growth.
Being Head Prefect has enabled me to develop new skills, like engaging with people I don’t know, while also improving existing ones, such as conflict resolution. I am deeply thankful to Yardleys for contributing to my growth, both academically and socially
Zonaira Zainab – Senior Head Prefect
Behind every success I have achieved in the last four years lie the manifold efforts of the dedicated teachers and staff of Yardleys School. From the very first day of Year 7, I have been shown immense support and encouragement to reach my full potential and step out of my comfort zone. I feel indebted not only to give something back but also to leave a small mark of my presence by helping to improve the learning environment and overall atmosphere of the school I have grown to cherish. As a result, I decided early on that I wanted to become Head Prefect, to represent the student body and be a role model for a group of intelligent and dedicated pupils, helping to lift their voices and ensure they are truly heard.
Despite some emotional challenges, I worked my way up from reading mentor and form captain, to Prefect, and now Head Prefect; simultaneously developing my confidence, leadership qualities, and problem-solving skills, which have shaped me into the versatile and diligent person I am today. I am not unique in this respect; Yardleys School provides all its students with many opportunities not only to excel academically but also to flourish as individuals. Student leadership roles enable pupils to enhance the soft skills necessary for success in the real world.
Mahnoor Ali – Senior Deputy Prefect
As a student at Yardleys School, being selected as Senior Deputy Prefect is both an honour and a responsibility that I take to heart. I was fortunate to be one of the few students given the opportunity to apply for the role of Head Prefect, which deepened my passion for contributing to the school community. I aspired to become a prefect to take on more responsibility, help others, and be a positive role model at Yardleys. I pursued the role to demonstrate leadership through integrity, empathy, and initiative. In this position, I will bring effective communication, a commitment to teamwork, and a strong sense of responsibility.
I believe in leading by example and will strive to be approachable and supportive to both students and staff. My ability to listen and mediate will help resolve conflicts and ensure that every student’s voice is heard. Additionally, I bring a proactive mindset, always looking for ways to improve school life through new initiatives and student-led activities. I am confident that my dedication to creating a positive, inclusive environment will help younger students feel valued and motivated to achieve their best.
Isha Majid – Senior Deputy Prefect
Becoming Senior Deputy Prefect has increased my self-confidence and opened my mind to new and challenging situations. Over the past four years, I have received a great deal of support from the staff at Yardleys, for which I am very grateful. Being responsible for maintaining the Yardleys School environment allows me to be trusted, which brings me great happiness. As Senior Deputy Prefect, it is my duty to assist younger pupils with any problems and ensure they are doing well. I am a hardworking and committed student who is always ready to lend a hand when needed. In my opinion, being Senior Deputy Prefect will open doors for me as it teaches valuable life lessons such as communication and collaboration. I also hope to be a positive role model for the younger years.
Tia Hughes – Senior Deputy Prefect
I applied to become a prefect to give back to the school for all the opportunities and support it has provided me. This included the scholarship programme, the Brilliant Club, which culminated in a rewards trip to Nottingham University that I thoroughly enjoyed, as well as well-being sessions that offer support to those struggling with mental health. These and many other initiatives have greatly aided me in my education and time at Yardleys. Additionally, I wanted to be a positive role model for the younger years, inspiring them to aspire to leadership roles at Yardleys, of which there are many to choose from. They too should aim to take on these roles and help Yardleys work together for a better future. I am very thankful for the position I have been given and will continue to succeed in it.