Prefects: Leading by example

Trinity prefects embody the values of the school, serving as our biggest ambassadors, and the very best examples of what Trinity students aspire to become. They command the respect of their peer group, staff, and younger students, serving as role models of the good humans we aspire our students to become.

We appoint around 50 prefects every year from the Upper Sixth, including eight senior prefects, two heads of school and a deputy. We want to ensure that prefects accurately reflect the student body, in terms of backgrounds, interests and personalities. It is also important that various facets of student life are represented; be that Art, Drama, Music, STEM or Sports.

The responsibility to represent the school's values has made me be a better version of myself.

I set my sights on being a prefect when I was a JBug; I really looked up to them and they got to wear cool Harry Potter style robes. I’ve enjoyed the regular duties and, through these, forming relationships with staff and other prefects.

Key responsibilities

Prefects have a broad role in the day-today running of the school – undertaking duties in the lunch hall, library and outdoor areas. Moreover, they play a pivotal role in admissions events, welcoming guests, conducting tours, and sharing their experiences of life at Trinity.

Our Senior Prefect team assumes overall responsibility for managing the large prefect team, serving as the primary point of contact for additional requests for assistance. They are very visible to the rest of the school, helping at our big events like Mob Run, and dressed in their gowns earn the admiration and respect of the younger students.

The Heads of School – usually one male and one female student, alongside a deputy - are very special students who live and breathe the values of the school. They manage the Senior Prefect team and are entrusted to drive positive change within the school community and to speak to them, and for them, at public occasions.

They are challenged to come up with a whole school initiative every year to promote unity and inclusivity. This has included the launch of our now annual Diversity Week and this year the Heads of School pioneered ‘TriniTeams’, a version of a house system with cross-year teams participating in fundraising activities and competitions.

The Heads of School act as a key line of communication between Sixth Form students and the Sixth Form staff team (Head of Sixth Form, Deputy and Heads of Year) to discuss wellbeing or workload issues.

They also have weekly meetings with the Headmaster and Senior Deputy Head to plan their involvement in whole school assemblies but also have the forum to raise any issues on behalf of the Sixth Form and wider student population. It’s a big responsibility.

I wanted to be a prefect to develop my leadership skills and build my confidence. Being a new girl in a predominantly male environment I knew it would be challenging, but learning to find common ground with younger students has made it a such rewarding experience; I’m so glad I went for it.

Becoming a prefect

There is a rigorous application process to become a prefect or head of school, which in itself is a useful experience for the students. There is a student vote, staff vote, we look at their academic profile to ensure they can cope with the additional workload and there are interviews and presentations for the more senior roles.

The experience gained from these roles is invaluable, nurturing essential leadership qualities sought after by universities and future employers. Prefects undergo training in safeguarding and coaching, hone soft skills such as advocacy, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.

They learn how to listen and communicate effectively with everyone from the youngest students to the headmaster, and prospective families; inspiring the next generation of Trinity students before they have even arrived.

For many, it is also an opportunity for them to give back to the school before they leave Trinity to start their next chapters.

The best bit about being a senior prefect has been how responsive the school has been to our suggestions; when we put something forward, we can work on it and eventually see it implemented.