St Clare’s, Oxford Director of Admissions Suzanne Mowat discusses the importance of leadership experiences that prepare students for life beyond school
When we think about secondary education, academic achievement usually takes centre stage. Yet one of the most valuable lessons a young person can learn in school is how to lead. Leadership is not simply about holding a title or a formal position, it is something that emerges in everyday moments of listening, collaborating, making thoughtful decisions and taking responsibility.
The qualities that make an effective leader – communication, empathy, teamwork, resilience – do not develop overnight. They need the right kind of environment, one that challenges students, supports them and gives them space to grow. In my experience, the boarding school setting is uniquely powerful in this respect. Students are not only immersed in their studies but also live alongside peers, navigate diverse relationships and take ownership of their daily routines. This naturally cultivates independence, personal responsibility and interpersonal skills.
At St Clare’s, I see this happening every day. Our community, made up of students from over 50 countries, means that differences in background become opportunities for dialogue and learning. When students manage their own routines, contribute to shared living and build friendships across cultures, they begin to lead their own lives – and that is an essential foundation for leading others.
Formal opportunities matter too. Our International Student Leadership programme, Learning to Lead, provides a structured way for students to explore the fundamentals. They begin by studying what good leadership looks like, observe it in practice, and finally design and implement their own projects. I’ve seen students launch service initiatives, run conferences and represent their peers through the student council. What impresses me most is the responsibility they take for seeing ideas through – and the creativity they bring to solving problems.
Leadership development is also shaped by classroom experiences. Team-based projects, debating and group presentations demand collaboration and diplomacy. Beyond academics, activities such as Model United Nations, Young Enterprise, and TEDx give students the chance to take on roles in real-world contexts. These experiences push them to take risks, to adapt and to build confidence – all skills that will serve them in life beyond school.
None of this happens in isolation and the close connections between staff and students are vital. At St Clare’s, this partnership is collaborative, allowing us to share in challenges as well as achievements. True leadership is as much about resilience in the face of challenges as it is about moments of triumph. Perhaps most importantly, leadership at school should not be about perfection or prestige. It should be about learning to act with integrity, to work alongside others and to contribute to something greater than oneself. When students discover that, they carry it forward – into university, into careers and into the communities they will one day help to shape.
At St Clare’s, and in schools everywhere, leadership is not a separate subject to be studied. It is something that is lived and practised, day by day. And when we give young people the trust and the responsibility, they never fail to surprise us with how ready they are to lead.
St Clare’s, Oxford stclares.ac.uk
Further reading: Delivering creative thinkers
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