The British School of Kuala Lumpur: Cultivating Student Leadership

Author: Derek Mackey, Head of Secondary at BSKL

A common misperception is that leadership in schools should be hierarchical in nature, with the designated management team being primarily responsible for leading change. At the British School of Kuala Lumpur (BSKL), we take the view that all staff, and pupils, should play an active role in school improvement.

Genuine student leadership in schools does require distinctive support, skills and judgments from adults – it is not just about “letting them get on with it”. It can be difficult for teachers to “hand over power”, but students can bring an energy that you never get from adults: if managed effectively, this energy can be transformational, in the classroom and beyond the school. The impact of student leadership is potentially twofold: there is the effect student leaders can have on others, both within and outside of school, and the effect of the experience on student leaders themselves.

The overarching aims of our leadership program are for all of our students to have a role in effecting school improvement, and to leave BSKL ready to take a confident, but not arrogant, lead in the world.

We have to show students how to lead: how adults do their jobs and how we lead. Our Teacher in Charge of Student Leadership meets weekly with the Head Boy and Head Girl, the Prefect Team, School Council, and House Captains. She will talk to them about how to create a cohesive team from a disparate group of people; generate and validate ideas and then get people to buy into them; plan and run meetings; the importance of project planning and tracking. Most importantly, students learn that when things aren’t going as planned, they must regroup and try again by getting people to buy back into your core values. Students need to be confident in their aims, yet understand that diplomacy, and sometimes “playing the long game”, are important strategies – a difficult thing for an impatient teenager!

Approximately 40% of BSKL Secondary students hold formal leadership roles. Our Head Prefects (two boys, two girls) are high profile figureheads: they represent the school at formal events and also lead the school council, which focuses on improving the school from an academic and operations perspective. This year they have tackled a range of issues (identified by them): the cafeteria, traffic flow at pick up time, homework policy, sporting opportunities, and reducing the amount of spam email. They are increasingly focusing on improving the quality of teaching and learning through the school development plan, and regularly present on issues in Whole School Assembly. Our school Code of Conduct was written by students and we are looking at how students might take that process one step further by being involved in the student disciplinary process. We also hope to involve students in the appointment of new teachers. Of course, careful thought is required when implementing these types of initiatives, but after all, these are the skills they will need as adults in the work place. Liaison with other schools in the British Schools Foundation around the world enables the team to acquire different and valuable perspectives on their decision-making.

All students are members of a house and it is our House Captains and Form representatives that work on improving the quality of and level of involvement of non-academic activities such as sports, the arts and charity. They will organize existing and new competitions, encourage participation and celebrate success. The House system is also the way BSKL reaches into the community to help those who are less fortunate through charitable activities and meaningful fundraising efforts. Each of our four houses has developed a sustainable relationship with a charity local in Malaysia.

We feel it is important though that all students are exposed to leadership opportunities, not just those that put themselves forward: every single one will participate in our Confident Speakers Program and will perform publicly at some point in the school year. All Year 11 pupils undertake real-life work experience. Model United Nations (MUN), critical thinking and Scholars’ Cup are all flourishing at BSKL allowing our debaters to argue and think on their feet: we have already won a number of regional and international awards in Malaysia, Singapore and New York.

In September 2016, we open our doors to our first Sixth Form cohort. New and existing BSKL students will form the flagship of our school. This will be a key phase in their lives, a transition into adulthood where those already-embedded leadership qualities can be developed and refined. Heads of Sport, the Gold international Award, and Community Leadership placements will supplement the existing program. An experienced Sixth Form staff and tutor team will ensure every student will be ready to take up a place at university or enter the workplace with the requisite skills and knowledge.

The best compliment any Headteacher can receive is one that refers directly to their students. Visitors to BSKL are emphatic in their praise of our students and without exception comment on their directness, politeness, confidence, ability to articulate their ideas to carry others with them: surely the core qualities of an outstanding leader?

This article was written by Derek Mackey, Head of Secondary at BSKL  

For more information, visit www.britishschool.edu.my