S6 Responsibilities and Leadership Opportunities DRAFT
S6: Your Year to 'Lead, Learn, Grow'
Choosing to continue into S6 is an exciting step—and one that comes with new freedoms, fresh responsibilities, and meaningful opportunities. This year is designed to help you make the most of your final stage at school, both academically and personally, as you shape your future.
S6 pupils enjoy a more flexible timetable ( one or two free timetable columns), giving you space to deepen your learning, pursue personal interests, and contribute to the wider school community. Whether through leadership roles, mentoring younger pupils, volunteering, or creating your own initiatives, we encourage you to step forward and make an impact. These experiences not only strengthen our school ethos but also help build a strong portfolio of skills valued by universities, employers, and training providers.
S6 is about becoming career and life-ready—something that looks different for everyone! From gaining further qualifications to developing practical life skills and preparing for the world of work, this year is your bridge between school and what comes next. We're here to support you with a wide range of opportunities, including workshops, guest speakers, and flexible learning pathways. And where possible, we invite you to shape your own journey.
This is your year—let's make it count!
S6 Core Reponsibilities and Commitment to Our School Community
As an S6 pupil, you hold a unique and important role within our school. You are leaders, role models, and ambassadors of the values we stand for—kindness, perseverance, fairness, and curiosity. Choosing to stay on for a final year brings both privileges and responsibilities, and we expect all S6 pupils to actively contribute to a positive and purposeful school environment.
Your S6 year is a living example of our school vision: Together We Thrive. This means supporting one another, stepping up when it matters, and helping to build a culture where everyone feels valued, encouraged, and empowered to succeed.
Your S6 core responsibilities include:
Creating a Positive Ethos: Lead by example in attitude, behaviour, and actions. Help set the tone for younger pupils by demonstrating respect, inclusion, and integrity in all areas of school life.
Attending Classes and Finishing What You Start: Your academic journey remains a priority. Make the most of your learning time, meet deadlines, and show commitment to completing courses and qualifications.
Contributing to School Life: Whether through supporting school events, mentoring others, or volunteering your time, your involvement helps build a stronger, more connected community.
Using Time Well: With a reduced timetable, you'll have the flexibility to consolidate learning, explore interests, and engage with others to achieve shared goals. Use this time wisely—to learn, to lead, and to grow.
Demonstrating Our Core Values: Every day is a chance to show kindness in your interactions, perseverance in your goals, fairness in your decisions, and curiosity in your learning. These values will shape not only your year, but your future.
Preparing for Life Beyond School: S6 is your launchpad into adult life. From developing employability and life skills to gaining experience in leadership, responsibility, and independence, your actions this year lay the foundation for what comes next.
When S6 pupils choose not to engage fully with their responsibilities, the impact is felt across the whole school. Instead of becoming a year of growth, leadership, and preparation for the future, S6 risks becoming a missed opportunity—and one that affects both the individual and the wider school community.
Here's what S6 can look like when expectations are not met:
A Weakening of School Ethos: Without positive role models, younger pupils lose direction. The supportive atmosphere we work hard to build begins to erode.
Missed Learning Opportunities: Reduced timetables can become wasted time. Instead of consolidating learning or developing new skills, students fall behind, miss deadlines, or fail to meet the expectations of their courses.
Lack of Contribution: When S6 pupils don't give back—avoiding corridor duties, ignoring leadership opportunities, or showing disinterest in school life—it sends the message that contribution doesn't matter. This can create a divide between year groups and a sense of disconnection within the school.
Damaged Reputation: Disengaged S6 pupils can negatively influence how the year group is perceived by staff, pupils, employers, and universities. The final year should enhance your personal profile—not undermine it.
Erosion of Core Values: When kindness, perseverance, fairness, and curiosity are not lived out in daily actions, they become just words. Without these guiding principles, S6 becomes less purposeful, less supportive, and less effective at preparing pupils for life after school.
Unprepared for What Comes Next: Perhaps most significantly, failing to take S6 seriously leaves pupils underprepared for work, further study, or adult responsibilities. Opportunities are missed, skills aren't developed, and confidence can take a hit.
Identifying When S6 May Not Be the Right Fit
The signs in the section above can help us identify when a pupil may not be getting the most out of S6. Persistent disengagement, poor attendance, lack of contribution to school life, and failure to uphold the values and expectations of S6 can signal that further support—or reflection—is needed.
In some cases, these concerns may form the basis for a conversation with the pupil and their parents or carers to assess whether S6 is currently the right path, and to explore what changes or alternatives might be more beneficial for the young person's future.
S6 is a privilege, not a right. We are committed to supporting every pupil to succeed—but success requires commitment in return.
S6 Prefect Team: Your chance to Step Up!
Alongside the Core Responsibilities above, S6 students have the chance to apply for a range of formal leadership roles. By successfully applying for one or more of these roles, you will also take on the formal position of Prefect. Prefects are senior students who act as role models, support others, and help lead aspects of school life — a key part of our wider leadership structure.
These roles are designed to help you build valuable skills, take on responsibility, and make a real impact within the school community. Many of these leadership positions also link directly to our Linlithgow Academy Pupil Parliament
Each Prefect leadership opportunity is different, and by clicking the links below, you can view the role descriptions. Information on how to apply and the process involved can also be viewed below. We also welcome your ideas, your initiative, and your voice in shaping your final year so if you have additional ideas for how you can lead an areas of improvement this year please let us know and we can add to below.
Prefect Leadership Roles 2025.2026
Post Description.
Job description
Be a positive role model and ambassador of Linlithgow Academy
Represent school at school events (awards evenings, concerts, careers evenings, information evenings etc)
Represent school at public events (council events, community events etc)
Lead and host Awards Ceremony
Lead and manage S6 Prefect Team
Develop strong relationships with your peers and other year groups
Act as a link between pupils and staff where necessary
Be proactive in suggesting school improvement
Meet with S6 Year Head regularly
Assist in organising S6 Leaver Event
Organise, lead and host Big Quiz
Leadership skills focus
Effective communication
You will be able to liaise and communicate confidently with students, staff and the wider community. You will have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
Teamwork and collaboration
It is vital you are a team player and have the influence to ensure your team is working effectively. You will be able to work successfully with others to contribute to and lead school events.
Reliable
You must carry out your duties consistently and throughout the full academic year.
Supportive
You will motivate, support and inspire other students through your approachable and friendly nature.
Other Skills/qualities
Excellent organisational skills
Respectful, polite and well mannered
Innovative, creative and resourceful
Post Description.
Job description
To be a positive role model and ambassador of Linlithgow Academy
Promote the school's vision and values and to lead by example
Lead House Assemblies in an enthusiastic and committed way
Lead PSE Pupil Voice to influence improvement
Take responsibility for House related events; encouraging healthy competition
Work closely with the Head of House, staff and other students
Leadership skills focus
Effective communication
You will be able to liaise and communicate confidently with students, staff and the wider community. You will have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
Teamwork and collaboration
It is vital you are a team player and have the influence to ensure your team is working effectively. You will be able to work successfully with others to contribute to and lead school events.
Reliable
You must carry out your duties consistently and throughout the full academic year.
Supportive
You will motivate, support and inspire other students through your approachable and friendly nature.
Other skills/ qualities
Excellent organisational skills
Innovative and creative
Respectful, polite and well mannered
Post Description.
Job description
To be a positive role model and ambassador of Linlithgow Academy
To promote the school's vision and values and to lead by example
To be enthusiastic, committed and visual around the school
Assist at House Assemblies
Organise and lead events within PE to help support Health and Wellbeing
Celebrate success within sport and work closely with the PE department, meeting regularly with Sports Captain Teacher Lead
Leadership skills focus
Effective communication
You will be able to liaise and communicate confidently with students, staff and the wider community. You will have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
Teamwork and collaboration
It is vital you are a team player and have the influence to ensure your team is working effectively. You will be able to work successfully with others to contribute to and lead school events.
Reliable
You must carry out your duties consistently and throughout the full academic year.
Supportive
You will motivate, support and inspire other students through your approachable and friendly nature.
Other skills/ qualities
Excellent organisational skills
Innovative and creative
Respectful, polite and well mannered
Post Description.
Job description
Be a positive role model and ambassador of Linlithgow Academy.
Lead one of the following Committees:
Health & Wellbeing Champs
Promote and contribute to the school's Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy, reviewing Strategy as appropriate
Represent Linlithgow Academy as Midi Champ at West Lothian Council meetings
Anti-bullying (inc MVP)
Promote and contribute to the school's Anti-bullying Strategy, reviewing Strategy as appropriate
Lead Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP)
Co-ordinate other HWB Committees inc Young Carers
Attend Pupil Parliament Cabinet meetings
Meet regularly with Teacher HWB Lead
Lead HWB events, including assemblies
Leadership skills focus
Effective communication
You will be able to liaise and communicate confidently with students, staff and the wider community. You will have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
Teamwork and collaboration
It is vital you are a team player and have the influence to ensure your team is working effectively. You will be able to work successfully with others to contribute to the good order of the school.
Reliable
You must carry out your duties consistently and throughout the full academic year.
Supportive
You will motivate, support and inspire other students through your approachable and friendly nature.
Other skills/ qualities
Excellent organisational skills
Innovative and creative
Respectful, polite and well mannered
Post Description.
Job description
Be a positive role model and ambassador of Linlithgow Academy.
Lead/Co-ordinate one of the following:
Equity Group
Promote and contribute to the school's Equity Strategy/Pledge, reviewing Strategy as appropriate
Represent Linlithgow Academy at WLC Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) and Cost of School Day (COSD) meetings
Rights Respecting School Award
Promote and contribute to the school's drive to achieve Silver/Gold status
E&D groups - Cultural Connections, Inclusion Group, Access for All, Our Voice
Promote and contribute to the school's E&D Strategy/ Pledge, reviewing Strategy as appropriate
Attend Pupil Parliament Cabinet meetings
Meet regularly with Teacher E&D Lead
Understand the importance of, and promote the 9 protected characteristics
Lead E&D events, including assemblies
Leadership skills focus
Effective communication
You will be able to liaise and communicate confidently with students, staff and the wider community. You will have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
Teamwork and collaboration
It is vital you are a team player and have the influence to ensure your team is working effectively. You will be able to work successfully with others to contribute to the good order of the school.
Reliable
You must carry out your duties consistently and throughout the full academic year.
Supportive
You will motivate, support and inspire other students through your approachable and friendly nature.
Other skills/ qualities
Excellent organisational skills
Innovative and creative
Respectful, polite and well mannered
Post Description.
Job description
Responsible for promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices within the school
Lead and implement eco-friendly initiatives eg recycling, waste reduction, reducing plastic energy conservation etc
Raise awareness about sustainability and environmental issues among pupils and staff
Lead Access to Nature initiative (mini-forrest)
Attend Pupil Parliament Cabinet meetings
Meet regularly with Teacher Sustainability Lead
Lead Sustainability events, including assemblies
Leadership skills focus
Effective communication
You will be able to liaise and communicate confidently with students, staff and the wider community. You will have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
Teamwork and collaboration
It is vital you are a team player and have the influence to ensure your team is working effectively. You will be able to work successfully with others to contribute to the good order of the school.
Reliable
You must carry out your duties consistently and throughout the full academic year.
Supportive
You will motivate, support and inspire other students through your approachable and friendly nature.
Other skills/ qualities
Passionate about environmental sustainability
Excellent organisational skills
Innovative and creative
Respectful, polite and well mannered
Post Description
Post Description.
Job description
Be a positive role model and ambassador of Linlithgow Academy
Support S1 pupils during transition and throughout their first year at the Academy
Be a Coach for Improvement with identified S1 pupils - meet them regularly to pass on experiences of school life and to offer advice as per the programme
What S1 pupils need from you
A Buddy/Coach for Improvement needs to:
be a friendly face to talk to
offer help with any issues/worries
be the person S1s can look up to
give encouragement to succeed
be committed to meeting S1 pupils once a week.
Skills/qualities
You should be:
open and approachable
respectful
empathetic
a good listener
a motivator
inspirational
able to give advice/pass on issues as appropriate to a member of staff
a good communicator
passionate about supporting our youngest pupils.
Post Description.
Job description
Be a positive role model and ambassador of Linlithgow Academy.
Promote the school's vision and values, particularly as these relate to our 'core purpose' in the area of learning.
Co-lead a faculty group linked to our school Pupil Parliament by:
Co-ordinating pupil led activities to support faculty improvement
Attending Pupil Parliament meetings and faculty link meetings
Meeting regularly with faculty lead teachers for your chosen faculty
Leadership skills focus
Effective communication
You will be able to liaise and communicate confidently with students, staff and the wider community. You will have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
Teamwork and collaboration
It is vital you are a team player and have the influence to ensure your team is working effectively. You will be able to work successfully with others to contribute to the good order of the school.
Innovation
You are able to imagine new ways of doing things to bring about positive change. You can apply your creative thinking skills to generate solutions to problems and come up with new ideas.
Reliable
You must carry out your duties consistently and throughout the full academic year.
Supportive
You will motivate, support and inspire other students through your approachable and friendly nature.
Other skills/ qualities
Excellent organisational skills
Innovative and creative
Respectful, polite and well mannered
Post Description.
Job description
Be a positive role model and ambassador of Linlithgow Academy
Promote the school's vision and values and lead by example
Be supportive and committed in supervising designated areas around the school at break/lunch to ensure pupil safety and good order
Meet with S6 Year Head monthly throughout the year for check-in and to discuss improvements/issues
Attend and support the smooth running of school events eg Careers Evening, Information Evenings, Award Evenings
Leadership skills focus
Effective communication
You will be able to liaise and communicate confidently with students, staff and the wider community. You will have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
Teamwork and collaboration
It is vital you are a team player and have the influence to ensure your team is working effectively. You will be able to work successfully with others to contribute to the good order of the school.
Reliable
You must carry out your duties consistently and throughout the full academic year.
Supportive
You will motivate, support and inspire other students through your approachable and friendly nature.
Other skills/ qualities
Excellent organisational skills
Innovative and creative
Respectful, polite and well mannered
Post Description.
Job description
Be a positive role model and ambassador of Linlithgow Academy
Promote the school's vision and values and lead by example
Be supportive and committed in supervising astro pitch at designated lunchtimes to ensure pupil safety and good order
Meet with S6 Year Head monthly throughout the year for check-in and to discuss improvements/issues
Attend and support the smooth running of school events eg Careers Evening, Information Evenings, Award Evenings
Leadership skills focus
Effective communication
You will be able to liaise and communicate confidently with students, staff and the wider community. You will have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
Teamwork and collaboration
It is vital you are a team player and have the influence to ensure your team is working effectively. You will be able to work successfully with others to contribute to the good order of the school.
Reliable
You must carry out your duties consistently and throughout the full academic year.
Supportive
You will motivate, support and inspire other students through your approachable and friendly nature.
Other skills/ qualities
Excellent organisational skills
Innovative and creative
Respectful, polite and well mannered
Post Description.
Job description
Be a positive role model and ambassador of Linlithgow Academy
Support pupils throughout the year who have an additional support need in one of the following:
In junior classes in partnership with subject teacher
In Support for Learning, leading small groups of pupils in Literacy and Numeracy interventions
In our Enhanced Support area, supporting ASD learners
Meet regularly with S6 Peer Learning Supporter Teacher Lead and pass on issues/seek advice as appropriate
Take part in training requirements as appropriate
Leadership skills focus
A Peer Learning Supporter needs to:
Have excellent communication skills
Be patient and empathetic
Be approachable and friendly
Be encouraging and motivating
Have a genuine interest in supporting young people with their learning, perhaps wanting experience to progress into a teaching/coaching/caring profession
Other Skills/qualities
Excellent organisational skills
Respectful, polite and well mannered
Innovative, creative and resourceful
Post Description.
Job description
Be a positive role model and ambassador of Linlithgow Academy
Enhance communication within the school community by sharing key messages and promoting school initiatives via appropriate platforms
Support the school newsletter, website and noticeboards with fresh, up-to-date content
Explore digital tools to make communication with school community more effective and interactive
Meet with Communication Leaders Teacher Lead regularly throughout the year
Leadership skills focus
A Communication Leader needs to:
Have excellent verbal and written communication skills
Have a creative and innovative approach to sharing information
Be organised, responsible and reliable
Have excellent IT skills, in particular good knowledge of social media
Other Skills/qualities
Respectful, polite and well mannered
Resourceful and good problem-solving skills
Team player with good leadership skills
Application Process for these Leadership/Prefect Positions
Application Process for these Leadership/Prefect Positions
We continue to review and update our application and selection process based on previous experience and feedback from S6 pupils. Our current processes for the academic year can be viewed below.
Application and Selection process
S6 Leadership Role
Application Process
Selection Process
School Captains (2)
School Vice Captains (2)
Staff vote/ S6 application form/ S6 pupil vote
Interview with HT and Year Head (June)
House Captains (2 per House)
Staff vote/ S6 application form
Interview with House Head (June)
Sports Leaders
S6 application form
Interview with PE teacher co-ordinator (June)
Health & Wellbeing Leaders
S6 application form
Equality and Diversity Leaders
S6 application form
Sustainability Leaders
S6 application form
Buddies: Coaches for Improvement
S6 application form
Faculty Ambassadors
S6 application form
Zone Leaders
S6 application form
Pitch Pals (astro)
S6 application form
Peer Learning Supporters
S6 application form
Communication Leaders
S6 application form
Frequently Asked Question About S6
Why does my child have to choose and maintain 4 subjects in S6?
My S6 child has driving lessons. Can they be taken during the school day?
My S6 child has a part time job. Can they be employed during the school day?
My S6 child is lucky enough to have a car. Can they park it in the school carpark?
How is my S6 child's attendance recorded when they only have 4 subjects?
Can my S6 child sign out of school during the school day?
My S6 child does not have a class period 1. Can they come in later in the morning?
Are there study booths or classrooms my S6 child can revise in?
