Student Leadership

Student leadership is a powerful catalyst for developing character and shaping a school culture rooted in integrity, empathy, and purpose. When students take on leadership roles—whether through councils, mentoring, or leading initiatives—they are not just learning to organise or speak up; they are actively building resilience, growing in confidence, and learning to lead with kindness and compassion. These experiences challenge students to navigate setbacks with determination, listen deeply to others, and act with empathy and courage. By linking leadership to core values, we empower students to become not only effective leaders but also principled individuals who uplift their communities and inspire positive change.

At Robert May’s School, we believe that every student has the potential to lead, which is why we offer a wide range of leadership roles that are accessible across all year groups. From student council and house captains to wellbeing ambassadors, eco leaders, and peer mentors, there are opportunities for every student to contribute their voice and make a difference. Many of these roles are open to all year groups, ensuring that leadership is not limited by age or experience but driven by passion, character, and commitment. This inclusive approach allows students to grow in confidence, collaborate across year levels, and develop key values such as responsibility, empathy, and initiative from the very start of their school journey. This year we are also embarking on a student leadership training course with the support of RAF Odiham and the first year will see our House Captains learn and develop leadership understanding through a 2 day course.

Students can find more information on each role and how they can get involved by checking out the leadership board at school and by speaking to Mr Mason. For a brief understanding of each role please read the details underneath each position:

Year 10/11 Roles

RMS Head Prefect Team

As your Head Prefect Team, our main goal is to make sure every student’s voice is heard. We’re here to build strong communication between students and staff, and we want you to feel confident coming to us with any ideas, concerns, or feedback. You can chat to us during break or lunch, or speak to your tutor—we’re always happy to listen and pass your thoughts on to the senior leadership team at RMS. We also lead assemblies, help organise and support school events both in and outside of school, and do our best to represent everything that makes RMS such a great place to be. We’re proud to be part of this community, and even prouder to help shape it alongside you.

RMS Deputy Head - Community

As Community Prefects, our role is all about building strong connections between our school and the wider local area. We work to create opportunities for students to get involved in community projects and partnerships with local organisations. Whether it’s organising volunteering initiatives, or inviting local guests into school, we aim to make RMS a hub of positive activity and collaboration. By strengthening these relationships, we help students see the impact they can have beyond the school gates—and show that our values of kindness, compassion, and service extend into the heart of our community.

RMS Deputy Head -  Houses

As Senior House Captains, our job is to bring all the House Captains together and lead with a shared sense of purpose and team spirit. We help coordinate house events, from exciting competitions to meaningful charity drives, making sure every house has the chance to shine and contribute. It’s about more than just winning points—it’s about building pride, encouraging participation, and creating a strong sense of belonging across the school. We work closely with staff and students to plan, organise, and inspire, making sure that every event reflects the energy, creativity, and values of our school community.

RMS Deputy Head - Wellbeing

As the Student Leader of the Bounce Ambassadors, my role is to guide and support our incredible team in promoting mental health and wellbeing across the school. I help coordinate our rota for supervising the Bounce space, ensuring it remains a calm, safe, and welcoming environment for anyone who needs a moment of support. I also work closely with staff to plan and lead training sessions, develop new wellbeing initiatives, and oversee the creation of impactful displays and resources. Alongside the team, I help deliver assemblies and lead discussions that encourage openness, empathy, and self-care. My aim is to empower every Bounce Ambassador to feel confident in their role and to help shape a school culture where wellbeing is valued, visible, and supported by all.

RMS Deputy Head - Character Values

A part of Character Development is about helping students grow into confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals. We lead a team of character ambassadors and work closely with staff to design and deliver material that focus on the values we believe matter most—like kindness, honesty, determination, and compassion. Whether it’s leading assemblies, creating resources, or running workshops, we aim to make character education something that feels inspiring and relevant to everyday life. We also listen to feedback from students to make sure the topics we explore reflect what really matters to them. For me, it’s about encouraging everyone to see that character isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we live out, every day, in the way we treat others, face challenges, and contribute to our school community.

Senior Prefect Team

Senior Prefects are trusted leaders within the student body, responsible for guiding and supporting a team of prefects across the school. Our role is to help coordinate their efforts, offer advice, and ensure everyone feels confident and purposeful in their responsibilities. We work closely with the Head Prefect Team, assisting with the planning and delivery of assemblies, school events, and key initiatives that strengthen our school community. Whether it’s helping to organise prefect meetings or stepping in to support where needed, we aim to lead by example—showing commitment, teamwork, and a strong sense of school pride in everything we do.

All Year Groups

RMS House Captains

As House Captains, we play an important part in bringing our house communities to life. Our role is to support house initiatives—whether it’s competitions, charity events, or themed days—and help make sure everyone in our tutor group knows how they can get involved. We act as the link between the Senior House Captains and our peers, sharing updates, encouraging participation, and celebrating achievements. It’s about building house spirit, making sure every voice is heard, and helping everyone feel proud to be part of something bigger. By working together, we help create a fun, inclusive, and supportive atmosphere where every student has the chance to contribute and belong.

RMS Bounce Ambassadors

As the newly renamed Bounce Ambassadors, we’re committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of everyone in our school community. We receive bespoke training to help us understand how to offer support, listen with empathy, and signpost students to the right help when needed. As part of our role, we help supervise the Bounce space on a rota, creating a calm and welcoming environment where students can take a break and talk if they need to. We also design displays that promote positive mental health, self-care strategies, and where to find support. In addition, we help deliver assemblies to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about wellbeing. Our goal is to help create a school culture where kindness, understanding, and emotional wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.

RMS Librarians

As School Librarians, we play an active role in making the library a welcoming, inspiring space for everyone. Each of us completes two shifts a week—one on the front desk, helping with book checkouts and returns, and one focused on shelving and keeping the library organised. We support other students by recommending books, helping them find what they’re looking for, and encouraging a love of reading across the school. We also get creative by designing displays and posters to promote new titles, themed collections, and reading events. One of the most exciting parts of the role is helping to choose new books for the library, making sure our collection reflects a wide range of interests, voices, and genres. It’s a role that combines responsibility, creativity, and a real passion for reading.

RMS School Council

As members of the School Council, we represent the student voice and help drive positive change across the school. We take part in two meetings each half term, where we discuss ideas, raise concerns, and work together on projects that matter to our peers. Each of us also helps run at least one drop-in session per half term, giving students a chance to share their thoughts and suggestions in a more informal setting. Alongside these responsibilities, we take on additional duties as needed—whether that’s supporting events, gathering feedback, or presenting to staff. Most importantly, we lead on school change, turning student ideas into real action and helping to make RMS a place where everyone feels heard, valued, and empowered. Each term, we report back to students with a ‘You said, we did’ section on the R2L slides.

RMS Subject Ambassadors

As Subject Ambassadors, we’re passionate about our chosen subjects and work to inspire that same enthusiasm in others. Our role is to support the department by promoting the subject across the school—whether that’s helping at open evenings, leading clubs or revision sessions, or creating displays and resources that celebrate student work and key topics. We also act as a bridge between students and staff, gathering feedback, sharing ideas, and helping to make learning even more engaging. Whether it’s mentoring younger students, supporting classroom activities, or showcasing the subject’s real-world relevance, we aim to lead with curiosity, creativity, and a genuine love for learning.

RMS DoE Ambassadors

As DofE Ambassadors, we support students taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award by sharing our experience, offering guidance, and helping them feel confident and prepared. One of our key responsibilities is assisting with practical tasks like completing route cards, planning expeditions, and understanding kit lists. We’re also here to answer questions, give tips, and encourage participants through each stage of the award—from volunteering and skills to physical challenges and the expedition itself. Whether it’s running drop-in sessions, helping with training days, or simply being a friendly face to turn to, we’re proud to support others on their DofE journey and help make it a rewarding and memorable experience.

RMS Character Ambassadors

Character Ambassadors play a supportive yet significant role in promoting the values that underpin our school community. Working alongside the Prefect for Character and staff members, Ambassadors help to foster a culture where kindness, integrity, resilience, and compassion are actively encouraged and modelled. We contribute to the development and delivery of character initiatives by offering feedback and suggestions and assist in the preparation of visual displays, resources, and materials that promote core values. We support form time activities, act as positive role models within the school and gather student voice to ensure character education remains relevant and inclusive. This role is ideal for students who are committed to personal growth and who wish to contribute meaningfully to the school’s ethos. Character Ambassadors are not expected to lead initiatives independently, but rather to support and enhance the work of the wider character development team.