Purpose of the role

To continue the outstanding work being done by our Sustainability Leaders in ensuring that Ousedale becomes a more environmentally responsible school, that encourages sustainable choices and leads projects that improve our school environment.

Key responsibilities

• Promote recycling, reducing waste and responsible use of resources.
• Identify opportunities to make the school grounds and learning spaces greener.
• Organise or support environmental campaigns, competitions and events.
• Gather student ideas about sustainability and present suggestions to the relevant council.
• Work with staff and other student leaders to deliver practical environmental projects.
• Raise awareness of how small changes can make a positive difference.

Skills and qualities

• Passion for the environment and sustainability.
• Initiative and a willingness to suggest improvements.
• Teamwork, communication and organisation.
• Reliability and commitment to completing projects.

What success looks like: Students make more sustainable choices, environmental projects are delivered and Ousedale becomes a cleaner, greener school.

Purpose of the role

To help create an inclusive school community where everyone feels respected, represented, welcomed and able to be themselves.

Key responsibilities

• Promote equality, respect, understanding and belonging across both campuses.
• Gather student views about inclusion, representation and school culture.
• Help organise assemblies, awareness campaigns and activities celebrating diversity.
• Challenge stereotypes and encourage respectful discussion.
• Work with the Wellbeing and Inclusion Council to identify barriers students may face.
• Suggest ways to make school activities, communications and experiences more inclusive.
• Encourage students to treat others fairly and respectfully.
• Help ensure a range of student voices and experiences are represented.

Skills and qualities

• Empathy, respect and open-mindedness.
• Confidence in listening to different perspectives.
• Good communication and teamwork.
• A commitment to fairness and inclusion.

What success looks like: Students feel that they belong, diversity is celebrated and the school community demonstrates greater respect and understanding.

Purpose of the role

To promote interest, curiosity and enthusiasm in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) across Ousedale School. STEM Leaders will encourage students to explore how STEM subjects connect to the real world and inspire others to engage with science, technology, engineering and mathematics beyond the classroom.

Key responsibilities

• Promote STEM subjects and encourage students to develop an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
• Gather student ideas about STEM activities, clubs, competitions and enrichment opportunities.
• Help organise STEM events, challenges, demonstrations and themed activities.
• Promote opportunities such as science competitions, coding activities, engineering projects and mathematics challenges.
• Work with subject teachers and departments to develop engaging opportunities for students across both campuses.
• Encourage younger students to explore STEM subjects and consider future study and career pathways.
• Help raise awareness of STEM careers and the contribution of STEM to everyday life and future innovation.
• Support activities that develop problem-solving, creativity, logical thinking and practical skills.
• Share student feedback with relevant departments to help improve STEM opportunities at Ousedale.
• Collaborate with Subject Leaders and the Teaching and Learning Council where projects overlap.

Skills and qualities

• An interest in STEM subjects or how they are applied in the real world.
• Curiosity, creativity and a willingness to explore new ideas.
• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Teamwork, communication and organisation.
• Enthusiasm for encouraging others, regardless of their current confidence or attainment in STEM.

What success looks like: More students engage with STEM activities, develop confidence in STEM subjects and understand the range of opportunities available through further study and STEM-related careers.

Purpose of the role

To promote reading, literacy and the effective use of the school library as a welcoming space for learning, curiosity and independent study.

Key responsibilities

• Encourage students to read for pleasure and explore different genres.
• Gather student suggestions for books, resources and library activities.
• Help promote reading challenges, book events and literacy campaigns.
• Recommend books and share reading suggestions with other students.
• Work with library staff to identify ways to improve the library experience.
• Promote respectful use of the library and its resources.
• Support initiatives that make reading accessible and enjoyable for students with different interests and reading preferences.
• Help publicise library resources and opportunities across the school.

Skills and qualities

• An interest in reading, books or learning.
• Creativity and enthusiasm.
• Reliability and organisation.
• A willingness to listen to other students' suggestions.

What success looks like: More students engage with reading, the library is well used and students feel that its resources reflect their interests and needs.

Purpose of the role

To represent students' views about learning in specific subjects and work with teachers to identify ways to improve the learning experience.

Key responsibilities

• Gather feedback from students about learning, resources and classroom experiences.
• Share constructive suggestions with relevant subject teachers or departments.
• Help identify strategies and resources that support learning and revision.
• Promote subject-related clubs, competitions, events and enrichment opportunities.
• Encourage positive attitudes towards learning and academic ambition.
• Help communicate student ideas about how lessons and resources could be improved.
• Work with the Teaching and Learning Council to identify common themes across subjects.
• Support subject initiatives that encourage participation, confidence and progress.

Skills and qualities

• An interest in learning and improving the student experience.
• Good listening and communication skills.
• Constructive, respectful and solution-focused thinking.
• Reliability and the ability to represent a range of student views.

What success looks like: Student feedback leads to constructive dialogue with departments, and students have greater opportunities to engage with and improve their learning.

Purpose of the role

To help new students feel welcome, confident and prepared as they move into Ousedale, particularly during the transition from primary school to Year 7.

Key responsibilities

• Welcome prospective and incoming students during transition events and visits.
• Help Year 6 students become familiar with the school environment and routines.
• Answer questions about school life and share positive, honest experiences.
• Support transition activities, tours, information events and induction days.
• Help new students understand expectations, where to find support and how to get involved.
• Model positive behaviour, kindness and school values.
• Work with staff to identify common worries or questions raised by incoming students.
• Help develop resources or activities that make transition smoother and more reassuring.

Skills and qualities

• Approachability, patience and empathy.
• Confidence when speaking to younger students and visitors.
• Reliability and positive role modelling.
• A willingness to help others feel included.

What success looks like: Incoming students feel welcomed, know where to find help and begin their time at Ousedale with greater confidence and a sense of belonging.

Purpose of the role

To represent the views, ideas and experiences of fellow students and work collaboratively to improve school life. Every Student Councillor will join one of the four specialist councils and contribute to projects that make a positive difference across Ousedale's two campuses.

Key responsibilities

• Represent the views and interests of students fairly and responsibly.
• Listen to classmates, gather student voice and identify areas for improvement.
• Choose to join one of the following councils:
  • Site and Facilities Council
  • Wellbeing and Inclusion Council
  • Community and Charity Council
  • Teaching and Learning Council
• Attend council meetings regularly and contribute ideas and suggestions.
• Help plan and deliver projects agreed by their council.
• Work collaboratively with other councillors, Year 11 Ambassadors and the Senior Student Leadership Team (SSLT).
• Communicate council decisions, progress and opportunities to other students.
• Help ensure that students from both Newport Pagnell and Olney campuses are represented.
• Take responsibility for agreed tasks and complete them within deadlines.
• Evaluate the impact of projects and suggest improvements for the future.
• Act as a positive role model, demonstrating Ousedale's values through their conduct and interactions with others.

Skills and qualities

• Good communication and listening skills.
• Reliability, commitment and a willingness to attend meetings.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Initiative, creativity and problem-solving.
• Respect for different opinions and experiences.
• A genuine desire to improve school life for others.

What success looks like: Students feel listened to and represented, council projects lead to meaningful improvements, and councillors make a positive contribution to the school community.