Student Leadership & Citizenship
Developing Confident Leaders and Budding Citizens
Our Junior Leadership Team (JLT) is a central part of Academy life, giving students the opportunity to lead, influence, and shape the school community.
JLT members represent the student voice, working closely with staff to strengthen school culture, support their peers and drive positive change. Through leading initiatives and collaborating with others, students develop confidence, responsibility and empathy — essential skills that prepare them for real world success beyond the classroom.
Students join the JLT through a formal interview and selection process, putting themselves forward as role models who want to make a meaningful difference within the Academy community.
Leadership Through Our Values
The JLT embodies the Academy’s core values of Responsibility, Resilience, Resourcefulness, and Respect. These values underpin everything our student leaders do:
- Taking responsibility for shaping positive change.
- Building resilience by tackling real challenges.
- Being resourceful in teamwork and problem-solving.
- Showing respect for others’ experiences and perspectives.
Through open discussion, decision-making, and collaborative projects, JLT members develop essential skills in communication, critical thinking, and active citizenship – qualities that prepare them for leadership far beyond the classroom.
JLT Committees
To maximise their impact, the Junior Leadership Team is organised into specialist committees, each focusing on a key area of Academy life.
Anti-Racism and Diversity
This team champions equality, inclusion, and respect across the school. They lead campaigns, deliver assemblies, and work with staff to ensure that all students, regardless of race, culture, or identity, feel seen, safe, and celebrated.
Events and Community
Responsible for bringing the school together, this group plans charity fundraisers, community events, and cultural celebrations such as Children in Need, Cancer Research Race for Life, and our annual Cultural Diversity Week. They create opportunities for students, staff, and families to connect and contribute to a thriving Academy community.
Personal Development and Wellbeing
This team focuses on the holistic wellbeing of students. They promote mental health awareness, kindness campaigns, and initiatives that build emotional resilience. Their work helps sustain a nurturing environment where every student can flourish.
Pride
Supporting LGBTQ+ students and allies, this group advocates for equality, understanding, and visibility. Through awareness events and community education, they help ensure Hammersmith Academy remains a place where everyone can express their identity and feel proud of who they are.
Teaching & Learning
This group gives students a voice in shaping how they learn. They collaborate with staff to share insights and feedback, helping to make lessons engaging, challenging, and effective for all. Their work strengthens teaching practice and student engagement across the Academy.
Leadership, Service and Character
Leadership and service play a key role in enrichment at Hammersmith Academy.
Students are encouraged to take on roles of responsibility and contribute positively to the wider community.
Our Junior Leadership Team (JLT) leads by example, participating in the TimeGivers initiative and volunteering at a local care home – connecting with older residents, learning from their life experiences, and giving back to the community.
These experiences foster empathy, respect and the sense of civic responsibility that underpin our values.
A Community of Budding Citizens
Hammersmith Academy provides the conditions for students to grow into confident, thoughtful young citizens. The JLT helps nurture a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. By working together, students learn the importance of empathy, integrity, and civic responsibility – building a community rooted in trust, belonging, and mutual respect.
