What is it?
Our Junior Leadership Team is democracy, a British value, in action. The Junior Leadership Team (JLT) of St James’ CE Primary consists of representatives from each class, from Year 1 to Year 6. The JLT meets frequently, at least once every half-term, to express views and make decisions.
Staff are always keen to know the views of our pupils. For example, following curriculum-themed weeks we meet with the JLT to know more about what went well – junior leaders tell us they enjoy mixing classes and working with children from different year groups.
Previous decisions have included how to improve the outdoor areas around the school. We did this successfully and now have an outdoor multi-gym that all the children can use. The JLT are sometimes even involved in the recruitment of staff in school.
Representatives of the JLT are very much active citizens. Each year, the JLT makes the final decision as to what charity the school supports over the course of the year – in 2024-25, St James’ CE Primary is supporting Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Christian distinctiveness
At St James’ CE Primary, our Christian distinctiveness is important to us. As such, our JLT plays an active role in considering the distinctiveness of our school, expressing views and making decisions on the church aspects of our school.
Staff are always keen to know the views of our pupils. For example:
- Which parts of collective worship do they enjoy?
- Which parts of collective worship do they find most meaningful?
- Do the children know the school’s Christian values?
The junior leaders have been involved in deciding which Christian values are important to them and our school.
Recent decisions have included music for collective worship and our school’s Christian values.
Join in
Every year, pupils at St James’ CE Primary elect junior leaders from each class. Based on election speeches, they vote for the candidate who they think will represent them best. If you want to be part of the JLT, tell your teacher when it’s close to election time and prepare your speech well. In the meantime, make sure you let your current junior leaders know your views!