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The Leadership Programme was born during an extraordinary moment in history - the COVID-19 pandemic. When schools everywhere were grappling with how to keep students engaged, connected and resilient in the face of uncertainty, this programme emerged as a way forward.
It was created to empower young leaders to respond meaningfully to ‘glocal’ challenges, issues that feel local yet have global significance and to strengthen our school community at a time when physical interactions were limited. The pandemic reminded us of something vital: the urgent need for authentic student voice, adaptability and collaboration beyond the traditional classroom.
Inspired by Dr Siva Kumari’s belief that great learning nurtures humanitarian values, the programme was designed to go beyond acquiring knowledge. It focuses on the skills and attributes that shape ethical, empathetic leaders. By offering structured opportunities for leadership, reflection and innovation, it helps students develop 21st-century competencies and a global outlook, preparing them not just to succeed academically, but to lead with purpose and compassion in a rapidly changing world.
The Leadership Programme is where leadership moves from theory to action. It’s a dynamic, student-centred framework that grows with learners through three progressive stages. It begins in middle school, where students build the foundations of leadership and practise structured reflection. As they move into high school, the experience deepens student-led initiatives, collaborate on real-world challenges and take part in service-learning projects that make a genuine difference.
Growth is captured through reflective writing and assessed using ATL skills, ensuring development is intentional. Recognition is simple yet meaningful: a panel celebrates effort and achievement.
Beyond these pathways, leadership flourishes through student-led clubs, guided by our Participants’ Handbook, which helps club leaders plan, organise and inspire. Opportunities extend far beyond the classroom from community partnerships to global collaborations.
The programme champions student voice, 21st-century skills and global citizenship, fostering innovation, empathy and collaboration. In practice, this means students aren’t just learning about leadership, they’re living it. They design solutions, lead initiatives and create change locally and globally.
The Leadership Programme has grown into a cornerstone of student development, creating a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the classroom. It has sparked the creation of student-led clubs; vibrant spaces where innovation, collaboration and mentorship thrive. Senior students guide juniors, building continuity and a shared sense of purpose.
These clubs have become incubators for ideas. Students have launched sustainability campaigns, mental health awareness drives and community partnerships that respond to real needs. Parents play an active role too, offering mentorship and internships that strengthen the bond between school and community.
The impact is clear: students are transforming communities; designing solutions, leading initiatives and inspiring change locally and globally. The programme has nurtured a culture of empathy, innovation and agency, preparing learners to lead with courage and compassion.
Looking ahead, we aim to expand partnerships, deepen digital integration and share this model with other schools, amplifying leadership and student voice worldwide.
Over time, the Leadership Programme has evolved to become more inclusive, layered, and impactful. We introduced the Leadership Programme Junior to nurture leadership skills early in middle school, ensuring a seamless transition into deeper engagement in high school. The addition of student-led TBS Clubs has transformed the programme into a dynamic ecosystem of innovation, where senior students mentor juniors and lead passion-driven initiatives. We’ve developed a Student-Led Club Leader Handbook to guide club founders in structuring their vision and sustaining meaningful impact. Reflective practices have been refined, and digital portfolios now serve as living archives of student growth. Community partnerships and parental mentorship have further enriched the programme, making it a collaborative force for change within and beyond the school. Most recently, we integrated the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award with the Leadership Programme, enabling students to build resilience, service orientation, and practical life skills alongside leadership competencies. This synergy amplifies opportunities for personal growth and global recognition.
If you believe in nurturing young changemakers and building a better world through student voice and action, start by creating space for them to lead. Give students opportunities for initiatives, mentorship and reflection. Begin small and identify areas where they can take ownership and lead projects that matter to them.
Use tools like our Student-Led Club Leader Handbook to guide the process, ensuring clarity and sustainability. Encourage reflective practices so students learn from experience, and pair them with mentors who can support their growth. Integrate service learning and global perspectives to make leadership authentic and impactful.
You don’t need perfection, just passion, purpose and people. Activities inspired by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award can add depth: volunteering in community projects, organising environmental campaigns, learning new skills like photography or coding, and taking part in adventurous outdoor challenges.
Start with one initiative, empower students to design solutions, and watch the ripple effect as they inspire peers and transform communities.
