CHILDREN from a school in Acocks Green have proved they are top of the class after stepping up to become senior leaders for the day.
Cedars Academy gave nine Key Stage 2 pupils the opportunity to become its senior leadership team as part of a Girls Takeover Day.
The Plan International UK initiative encourages girls and young women to take over leadership positions for the day to champion gender equality and better representation within the workplace.
The Cedars Academy pupils led a school assembly, took part in a learning walk through the school to gain an insight into the various lessons taking place, and met with each staff member within the school’s senior leadership team to discuss their roles and any issues they might face.
The girls also met with the school’s pastoral lead to learn the theory behind Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSA) and how they support children, and brainstormed ideas of how pupils across the school could better support their peers.
The Girls Takeover Day came after headteacher Ryan Lawrence recognised that while schools generally have a high percentage of female staff members, they are often under-represented in senior leadership teams.
He said: “As part of this, we also hold an annual ambition day where children come to school dressed as what they aspire to be when they grow up and have the opportunity to hear talks from people working in a variety of sectors.
“The Girls Takeover Day was excellent at complementing the work we already do, and we will now be looking to hold it as an annual event going forward.”
