Are Leaders Born or Made? Here’s How Leadership Skills in Kids Can Be Nurtured

Is your child a natural leader? Or do they need encouragement? Here’s how this affordable British International school gives pupils opportunities to hone leadership skills as part of its holistic education

Some say leadership is an innate skill but there are ways to nurture all the skills that make a great leader from a very young age. Given the right opportunities, kids can learn to be more confident, become effective communicators to encourage and motivate their peers, take risks and be responsible. The Perse School Singapore is a boutique International British school in Singapore that emphasises a holistic education with a unique, nurturing environment only possible in a small school setting. One of their focuses is pupil leadership opportunities where pupils (aged 5- 18 years old) are given numerous avenues to develop all the skills necessary to be an inspirational and confident leader, which is such a valuable life skill.

Pupil leadership opportunities

The Perse School Singapore believes leaders can be ‘made’ and so encourages all children to explore the various opportunities to develop leadership skills. The pupil leadership programme, known as Pride of Perse encompasses a range of initiatives designed to ensure that pupils have a voice and get the chance to exercise it. Just some of the initiatives available as part of Pride of Perse include the Pupils Organised Democracy, House Captains, pupil voice surveys, classroom monitors, pupil-led ECAs, and a prefect program.

Pupils will get the chance to apply for each role which is an important exercise in itself – having to prepare a written speech or video clip demonstrates research and critical thinking skills and is already part of the process of building self-confidence. These programmes also allow pupils to form relationships, including mentoring, between the older and younger years, fostering teamwork and collaboration amongst children of different age groups. Once chosen as pupil leaders, they get the chance to work on communication skills by delivering messages from their peers to heads of school; their confidence grows through the different exposures of speaking publicly or in a large group in front of adults or peers. Pupil leaders meet weekly to discuss ideas and initiatives that can improve the school, in particular, pupil welfare and representation. They also attend extra training workshops to hone their leadership skills and help them achieve their fullest potential.

Holistic education

Curriculum-wise, The Perse School Singapore follows the Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Curriculum. There are daily Mandarin lessons with two Chinese programmes on offer – Standard Chinese for those who already have a strong grasp of the language and Chinese as a Foreign Language for those new to Mandarin. In addition, pupils learn Science, Singapore Maths integrated with Cambridge Maths, English, Geography, History, Art, Music, PE, Global Perspectives, Digital Literacy and a host of extracurricular activities.

Interested to learn more about the school and how your child could benefit from the holistic education and pupil leadership programme? Book a school tour today!

– Register by August 2023 to receive 10% off school fees for life.
– There’s also a 5% Sibling discount available.
– Waiver of application and enrolment fee if the child is from an affiliated preschool including Swallows and Amazons, Invictus International Preschool, and Primus Schoolhouse).
– Parent referral programme – any parent who refers a family that starts at The Perse School Singapore will receive $500 off their next school invoice.

The Perse School Singapore, 191 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588180, [email protected], Tel: (+65) 6971 8210, www.perse.edu.sg