Shaping the leaders of the future: the keys to teaching leadership

In today's world, the importance of cultivating leadership skills from a young age is increasingly recognised. Teaching leadership in schools not only prepares students to take on leadership roles in the future, but also gives them the tools they need to be engaged citizens and contribute positively to society. But what are the keys to teaching leadership? Here, from our Coruña British International School we will explore some of the fundamental aspects that we work on.

Role model: The first step in teaching leadership is to provide students with inspiring role models. This involves having teachers and staff who demonstrate leadership qualities in the way they act and interact with others. Educational leaders must be examples of integrity, empathy and ethics, promoting an environment of respect and trust. We strive on this point as a fundamental pillar!

Student empowerment: We encourage and offer all students the opportunity to make decisions and take responsibility within the school. Students should feel and have a say in making decisions that affect the school community. By allowing them to actively participate, they are given the opportunity to develop and practice leadership skills, responsibility and autonomy.

Development of social skills: knowing that leadership is intrinsically linked to social and emotional skills, at Coruña British International School we teach effective communication skills, teamwork, conflict resolution and empathy. These skills enable students to interact positively with their peers, learn to listen to and understand different perspectives, and collaborate to find solutions together.

Practical leadership opportunities: In the classroom, we must provide practical opportunities for students to put their leadership skills into practice. This is why we conduct community projects, school events and extracurricular activities in which our students take on leadership roles. By facing real challenges, children and teenagers will learn to make decisions, manage responsibilities and lead their peers effectively.

Reflection and self-assessment: It is essential to teach students the importance of reflection and self-assessment as part of the leadership process. In order to do this, we encourage the practice of self-reflection, encouraging students to analyse their strengths, areas for improvement and how their actions impact on others. In this way, self-assessment gives them the space to identify their own values, beliefs and goals, which contributes to authentic and principled leadership.

Culture of continuous learning: leadership, like all skills, is a continuous learning process. In our school we work and reinforce a culture of learning, emphasising the importance of being open to acquiring new skills, exploring ideas and learning from others. This involves promoting intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and experiential learning. By cultivating a growth mindset, it encourages the pursuit of opportunities and opens their minds to be willing to learn from the challenges to come.

Teaching leadership is about more than developing individual skills. It is about creating an environment where students feel empowered to lead, inspired by role models and motivated by a greater purpose. By providing them with the right tools, support and opportunities, we are confident that at Coruña British International School we will enable our students to become leaders of the future, capable of making a positive difference to the world around them.