Every Autumn term, Heston Student Council invites students of all years to join its existing Student Reps in trying to make positive changes to our school community.  

Students apply to be reps via an application form, and are then invited to formal interviews where they talk about their own visions for school improvement. The application form checking and interviewing is done by our reps, with some assistance from Senior Students. 

The role of a Student Council Rep empowers students who want to make a real change! Reps meet with Senior leaders, conduct surveys to feedback student views, and they also oversee a fortnightly round of nominations called Hestonian Heroes where each year 7-11 tutor group nominates a student whom they feel embodies one of our Hestonian Values: Kindness, Respect, Honesty, Ambition, Resilience, and Equality. 

Over 200 Heston students have now been recognised for their Hestonian values – a certificate is emailed to each, parents are notified by letter, and the nominated names all get put into a prize draw for a gift voucher at the end of the academic year. 

“It is really important to recognise the positive attitudes that our students show,” says Virleen in Year 11.”The Hestonian Values are not just words on a noticeboard.”  

Pavleen in Year 11 says that being part of Heston Student Council has helped her to “develop communication skills, I have shared my ideas and helped to make my school a better place. I have also developed time management, I have learned to balance my rep role with GCSE revision. My confidence has really improved.” 

Bob, in Year 10, says ”I have developed a variety of transferable skills such as communicating with teachers and pupils, working on team projects, and training younger reps to do School Council admin duties.”  

Thanks to all our Student Council Reps for the time and energy they give to our school community.