The chance to lead, not just take part

Personal development at CBSC isn't only about what students learn — it's about what they're trusted to do. Across Year 12 and 13, students have genuine opportunities to take on responsibility within the Sixth Form and the wider school community: leading, mentoring, representing their peers, and in many cases, being paid for the work they do. These aren't token titles — every role comes with real training, clear expectations, and a genuine, measurable impact on school life.

A structured leadership pathway

Our Leadership Development Programme offers a broad range of roles, so there's a genuine route into responsibility whatever a student's interests or strengths:

Volunteer leadership roles

• Sixth Form Student Leadership Team (“6th Form Power”)

• Sutton Schools Leadership Forum

• Sixth Form Leavers Committee (Year 13)

• Subject Ambassadors

• Peer Mentors

• Event and Enrichment Leaders

Paid positions

• Finance Assistants

• Library Assistants

• Lunchtime and Playground Supervisors

• Music, Media and IT Technicians

• Summer School Assistants

Paid roles in particular give students a genuine, early experience of employment — a real job, with real responsibilities and their own line of accountability, alongside their studies.

Contributing beyond the school gates

Leadership at CBSC extends outward as well as inward. Students are actively supported to volunteer in the wider community, including local charity partnerships and fundraising, community sports coaching, and structured citizenship activity linked to our compulsory Year 12 enrichment programme. Participation is tracked centrally, and students receive certificates and references to support future university, apprenticeship and employment applications.

Why it matters

Universities, employers and apprenticeship providers consistently say the same thing: they want evidence of genuine responsibility, not just a list of interests. A student who has led a peer mentoring programme, held a paid role with real accountability, or coordinated a community fundraiser has something authentic to say in an interview or personal statement — because they've actually done it, not simply attended it.

Find out more

If you have questions about leadership, volunteering or paid opportunities available in the Sixth Form, please contact Mr B Earley, Raising Standards Lead (Welfare), bearley@carshaltonboys.org