Student leadership

Our students are at the heart of all decisions and actions at Dixons Cottingley Academy. We are especially proud of the development of all our young people, providing them all with opportunities to succeed in their future endeavours. 

To support this, we have a thriving student leadership team. The students meet weekly to organise events, raise student voice points directly to our senior teams, and support the school in raising awareness of different initiatives. This has provided our student body with a clear communicable process in supporting with the direction of the school. Our leadership team is split into two cohorts, senior student leaders, and junior student leaders. 

Our senior student leadership team 

Our senior student leadership team consists of our Year 11 and Year 10 cohort. Here, students apply for roles at the start of the academic year with the understanding of the responsibilities involved. At this stage we have: 

• student principals 

• student vice principals 

• student form representatives 

Our junior student leadership team 

Our junior student leaders drive the aspirations of their peers by leading positive change within our Key Stage 3 cohort and within our community. Our junior student leadership team consists students from Year 7 to Year 9, with the ownership of our Year 9 students to lead our Key Stage 3 cohort. The roles available are: 

• Student assistant principals 

• Student form representatives 

Meet our teams

From left to right: 

• Front row: Emerald (AP), Zak (AP), Arabiya (AP), Faria (AP), Tasnim (VP), Shaun (P), Oluwatosin (P), Umar (P), Adam (VP), Ubayd (VP), Zara (AP), Sara (AP), Ayaan (AP) 

• Middle Row: Elif (JSL), Hannah (JSL), Amaar (SSL), Mohammad (SSL), Arissa (SSL), Azan (SSL), Armaan (SSL), Zeeshan (SSL), Zaydaan (SSL), Mohammad (JSL), Jonathan (JSL) 

• Back Row: Hanzalah (JSL), Ahmed (JSL), Alisha (JSL), Muhammad (JSL), Huzaifa (JSL), Momina, (JSL), Maira (JSL), Ifat (JSL), Adam (JSL)  

• Absent for photograph: Sulaiman (VP)
   

Our impact

Below are some of the issues our student leadership team have tackled this year:

• single use water bottles are no longer sold in school

• £410 was raised towards recognition events through pop up events such as basketball competitions, penalty shoot outs and bake sales

• donations of new and used toys were donated to local children's charity, Martin House Hospice

• Gender and sexual orientation awareness month was acknowledged within school

Meet our student principals

Our student principals from left to right: Shaun, Tosin & Umar.

Hear from Tosin: 

“Being the senior student principal at Dixons Cottingley Academy is such an amazing experience! I get to represent my peers and share our ideas, making sure everyone feels included. It’s all about creating a positive environment and organising fun events that everyone can enjoy. This role allows me to inspire others and encourage them to get involved in our community. Overall, it’s a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference and leave a lasting impact!” 

Hear from Umar:  

“The opportunity to become student principal and represent the student body is arguably the best thing any school can offer their students. Not only has it helped me increase my confidence as I appear and talk to the entire school, it has helped me to help others. I love going around and talking to students from across all year groups, hearing their feedback and having the chance to voice the students of the school to bring action and betterment. Student leader meetings every week allow us to voice our concerns and change the school to cater our specific academic needs in balance to our personal wishes and to bring the best possible secondary school experience in Bradford which produces the best students in the city".

Hear from Shaun: 

"As student principal at Dixons Cottingley Academy, I have had the privilege of witnessing how our core values of determination, integrity, and trust create an environment where every student is encouraged to thrive. These principles have been instrumental in shaping my character, helping me to develop resilience, accountability, and strong leadership skills. The academy has provided me with countless opportunities to challenge myself academically and personally, fostering a mindset of hard work and ambition. I am confident that the lessons I have learned here, both in and out of the classroom, will equip me with the skills, confidence, and determination needed to excel in the future".