How student leadership starts at Dulwich College (Singapore)

When you picture a school leader, you might imagine a senior student giving a speech or a prefect managing lunchtime duties. But what if that image began forming far earlier? At Dulwich College (Singapore), we believe it can. And it should.

Lefft: Anand Chauhan Right: Jonathan Lee

Student leadership in our Junior School is not a title. It is a lived experience. Every year, over 250 children – more than a quarter of our students – take up leadership roles. From sustainability to sport, creativity to compassion, our leadership programme is arguably the most far-reaching of any junior school in the world. Why? Because we believe that young children can be powerful changemakers. They see the world with clarity and conviction. Where adults hesitate, they act. Where we see complexity, they see possibility. We chat with Mr. Anand Chauhan, Head of Junior School Leadership and Mr. Jonathan Lee, Junior School Head of Houses about what leadership means to them, why it matters, and how these roles encourage children to discover their strengths and shape their community.

What purpose does the Junior School Leadership Team serve?
A: Our Junior School Student Leadership Team exists to give children a real voice in shaping their school. The team is there to guide and support students as they take on these roles, offering new opportunities to learn, grow, and demonstrate their skills in fresh ways. Our work is about empowering every child to discover their own way, and to lead – whether through creativity, empathy, teamwork, or public speaking. Leadership comes in many forms, and every child has the potential to be a leader.
J: Being a leader can mean anything that the children want it to be, and this is the purpose of our Leadership Teams. We want them to be leaders of something they are passionate about. We have many children who are brilliant, talented individuals with the skills to become leaders of the future.

“Our work is about empowering every child to discover their own way, because leadership comes in many forms”

Why does Student Leadership matter at Dulwich College (Singapore)?
A: Leadership is central to our learning philosophy. Through our
Personalised Pathways, students learn to lead in ways that reflect their own strengths. This matters because leadership is about more than taking charge; it’s about making choices that create positive change. It teaches children that their voice counts, and that even small actions can make a difference to others. Student Leadership also connects directly to our Guiding Statements, helping children take part in key priorities such as wellbeing, diversity and sustainability. This process prepares them to step into the world with confidence as responsible global citizens.

What’s your favourite part of the Student Leadership process?
J: I really enjoy seeing the ambition and excitement within the Junior School as our students apply for their chosen leadership role. Because my role is Head of Houses, I particularly love seeing all the videos of the House Captain applicants and their visions and ideas that they would bring to each role. Each House Captain will learn to lead a cohort of 220 peers in House activities, House assemblies, and most importantly in the dramatic unveiling of House points each week. They will be the figure that our younger children aspire to be like, someone who is a role model for those in their House.

How do students benefit from these opportunities?
A: The impact is huge! They gain confidence, communication skills and resilience, and, most importantly, learn how to listen to others, solve problems and find common ground. They also discover what it means to work as part of a team, sometimes leading, sometimes supporting, always contributing. Leadership also fosters a sense of belonging among students. They build friendships across year groups, share ideas and feel proud of the part they play in their school community. By having the opportunity to connect with Dulwich students around the world, they see themselves as part of something bigger. Most importantly, they learn that leadership is about relationships – listening, collaborating and learning that together they can make a real impact.

What future opportunities are there, and what does everyday leadership look like for the students?
A: There’s a whole calendar of opportunities available. Leadership Day, where students apply for ambassador roles they are interested in. The Leadership Fair, where the students celebrate various achievements. The Student Leadership Conference, run by EiM, the education group behind the Dulwich College family of schools, also enables our students to connect with Dulwich students worldwide. However, they are always reminded that leadership isn’t just about the big events; it’s also in the everyday choices such as helping a friend, showing initiative in class, or being a role model in the playground. Each moment helps our students grow into the kind of leader they want to be.

Dulwich College (Singapore) 

 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, 658966
 +65 6890 1003
 [email protected]
 www.singapore.dulwich.org