Head pupils who want to bridge the learning gap

THE new head pupils at Gillotts School in Henley say they want to help the school community to work together.

Freddie Williams, Etna Mercade and Isaac Urch will take on the joint role at the start of the new academic year in September, when they move into Year 11.

They were selected after submitting a letter to headteacher Catharine Darnton and recording a two-minute video which was shown to the whole school who then voted for their favourite candidates.

Those shortlisted were then interviewed by Ms Darnton and assistant headteacher Matt Druce.

Isaac, 15, who lives in Binfield Heath, said he frequently hears complaint about a lack of water fountains and the school’s detention policy.

He said: “I’m always hearing about things people want to be improved and if I can try and make a difference to this school then that’s really what I want.

“Every summer it’s really hot, so we’re always on the lookout for getting more water fountains because we have got a chronic lack of them and they are needed at break and lunch time. The time it takes getting to one then that eats into lesson times.

“There’s also the detention policy and people feel that this is for people who really misbehave. There is a bunch of things that we will try and sort out.”

Isaac, who enjoys trainspotting in Henley and Reading, and reading about science and engineering, said he felt lucky to be part of a “safe” school like Gillotts.

He said: “It’s a really safe place because we all work to make it a safe and enjoyable place to learn.”

Etna, 15, who moved from Barcelona in 2023, said she wanted to run for head pupil to challenge herself and step outside of her comfort zone.

In her spare time, Etna rows for Shiplake Vikings, plays guitar, sings and does cadets and drama. She feels that head students can often be a bridge between students and teachers.

Etna said: “As much as they try to, teachers can never get to the bottom of things and when they find out about something it has already happened.

“I think students sometimes know a lot more about what actually really happens than teachers, so I feel like if something is getting serious, I can always go in and help out.”

Etna said she had been brainstorming her application video since she joined the school at the end of Year 8 and had asked her friends to help her put it together incorporating her leadership ideas.

She said: “We shot it at my house and I was a director for the whole day, it was amazing.

“I just thought, I don’t think I will get votes just saying ‘these are my ideas’, so I went all out and showed everyone who I really am. It paid off.”

Freddie, 15, who lives in Reading, said he wanted to be head pupil so he could give back to the school. He said: “I thought that, being head student, I could be there for the younger years like how all the other head students were there for me. It’s the right thing to do.

“I want to be that person that people can talk to and feel safe around and can ask me things to speak to senior leadership about.”

In his spare time, Freddie enjoys playing sport, including tennis, football and golf, and learning about history.

Freddie added: “There are a lot of days where we help out and give speeches. I’m really looking forward to public speaking, where I can meet all of the parents and say, ‘Look we’re here to help’.”

Ms Darnton said: “We are delighted to have appointed Etna, Freddie and Isaac to the roles of head student.

“We think they will work well together as a team, with complementary interests in some of the key priorities for the school — integrating the year groups into one community, ensuring a zero tolerance to bullying and developing the sustainability agenda.”