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Student Leadership

Fostering confidence and responsibility, we provide meaningful leadership opportunities for each student, at every stage of their journey. 

An Opportunity for Everyone to Lead

At ISA, we challenge the traditional view of leadership. It isn’t about a few chosen students being leaders while others follow. We believe every student is a global citizen, capable of contributing to their community right now. Our goal is to empower every child to find their voice and see where they can contribute to maintain what is good and improve what can be better. 

What it means to be a leader and an active citizen grows with our students. The opportunities look different across the school, but the goal is the same: to foster initiative and responsibility which contributes towards our kind and inclusive community. 

Leadership at Every Stage

Preschool

Foundations of Leadership

Leadership begins with simple, powerful acts of responsibility. In our preschool, students learn cooperation and community through everyday actions, such as taking turns with setting the table or helping a teacher with the lunch trolley. These early experiences build the foundation for active citizenship. 

Elementary School

Finding a voice

In elementary school, students discover the power of their own voice and ideas. They learn to take the initiative, whether it’s using assembly time to advocate for a cause, celebrating their heritage through language and culture clubs, or sharing ideas directly with the Principal during ‘Community Lunches’. By Upper Elementary, many are already stepping into formal roles as Student Ambassadors, welcoming new families to our school. 

Middle School

Stepping Up

Middle school is a time for taking on greater responsibility and playing a more active role in school life. Students step into formal roles such as House Captains, leading their peers during our ever-popular house events, and Student Ambassadors, representing the school to visitors. They also learn to manage projects by organising social activities and take on personal challenges through programmes like the Junior Duke Award. 

High School

Shaping the Community

Our oldest students take on leadership roles that have a significant impact on the school and wider community. They become true partners in shaping the ISA experience, meeting with school leadership to influence policy and running a wide range of initiatives like the Model UN conference, the STEM club for younger students, or the climbing club. Through curriculum-based programmes like the Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) and the culminating Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme, they design and lead projects with real-world impact, often alongside personal challenges like the full Duke of Edinburgh Award. 

At all stages of the school, children and young people are empowered to inform and lead change and improvement. From the elementary stages onwards, children lead and self-direct the committees and pupil groups they participate in confidently. They make important decisions about issues that affect them. Through innovative whole-school initiatives, children and young people are developing personal leadership qualities that prepare them particularly well for learning, life and work. Children and young people are clear about the difference they are making, and why this important to the school community.

Education Scotland, HM Inspection 2023

Leadership Showcase

See what happens when students take the lead. Below are a few inspiring examples of student leadership that is making a real difference in our school and the wider community. 

The Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI)

At ISA, the Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is a cornerstone of our curriculum that showcases leadership through advocacy and community impact. As a core component of the Global Perspectives class, all Grade 10 students work in teams to research, visit, and champion a local Aberdeen charity they feel passionate about. This process hones their skills in collaboration and persuasive presentation, and the intense teamwork provides excellent preparation for the IB science curriculum’s Group 4 project. YPI empowers every student to become an informed and compassionate leader, using their voice to make a real difference in their own community. 

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is the ultimate test of self-directed leadership and resilience. At ISA, we support students as they take on this internationally recognised challenge, which requires them to design and manage their own long-term programme across four key areas: developing a Skill, improving their Physical fitness, Volunteering in the community, and completing an adventurous Expedition. Many of our students begin their journey with the Bronze award in Grade 9, progress to Silver in Grade 10, and undertake the prestigious Gold award over Grades 11 and 12. Successfully balancing these commitments is a powerful demonstration of personal drive, organisation, and the ability to lead oneself toward achieving ambitious goals.

The Veg Growers Club

This club is a perfect example of leadership taking root at a young age. Elementary students in our Veg Growers Club take complete ownership of their part of the school garden, from planting seeds to harvesting produce. Their initiative gained international recognition when it was featured in a newsletter by world-renowned gardening expert Charles Dowding. The students manage the entire project cycle, culminating in two annual plant sales where they showcase their hard work to the school community. Demonstrating a keen sense of social responsibility, they use the profits to sustain the club and donate to a charity of their choice, truly leading with compassion and a connection to their wider community. 

The Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI)
Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Veg Growers Club

From the first day of preschool to graduation, leadership at ISA is a journey of personal growth, deeply embedded within our philosophy as an IB World School. By providing consistent opportunities to take initiative, collaborate with peers, and accept responsibility for real-world outcomes, we help students build not just skills, but character. This process cultivates the resilience to overcome challenges, the compassion to act for others, and the confidence to lead positive change, reflecting the core attributes of the IB Learner Profile. Our ultimate goal is to develop engaged and thoughtful global citizens, empowered to make a meaningful impact on the world. 

What it means to be a leader and an active citizen grows with our students. The opportunities look different across the school, but the goal is the same: to foster initiative and responsibility which contributes towards our kind and inclusive community. 

Ready to help your child find their voice?

If a school that builds confidence, fosters responsibility, and empowers every student to become an active, compassionate citizen sounds like the perfect fit, we’d love to tell you more.  

Get in touch with our admissions team today to arrange a visit and see our student leadership in action. 

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