Nottingham High School - Prefects

Prefects

The Prefect body form an important and ancient institution within the School. Prefects are the School's principal representatives of its values. The School looks to the Prefect body to set an example both to other Sixth Formers and to other members of the School as a whole. A Prefect is required to perform a number of duties during the School week, this might include supervision of the Dining Hall, for example. All Prefects are required to assist on days of importance to the School, including Founder's Day, Speech Day, Open Day and entrance examinations. Historically the Tower was the exclusive domain of the Prefects. Within its walls solemn meetings were held and the daily round of canings distributed, to be performed in the presence of the School Captain. Presently the Prefects have the sanction of awarding a blue disciplinary ticket to boys in Years 7 to 11. This ticket carries the same consideration as a ticket issued by a member of staff. In an era turning away from old, strict and inflexible ways the Prefects voted to remove their right to cane. So moved was the then headmaster Ken Imeson, that he not only changed the rules regarding them, but also resolved never to use corporal punishment again himself. The School Captain is responsible for the conduct of the Prefect body to the Senior Master with regard to matters concerning duties, to the Deputy Headmaster with regard to discipline, and, ultimately to the Headmaster in all matters.

Assistant Prefects are appointed from the Lower Sixth in the Autumn Term and are allocated duties which usually commence in the Spring Term. The performance of individual Prefects is reviewed, and normally without exception Assistant Prefects are appointed Prefects in the Summer Term. At this time, Prefects who have served the School with particular distinction are appointed to Offices within the School, most notably the Captain of the School, the Vice-Captains of the School and the Captains of Houses. At this time Prefects are presented with the silver Prefects' tie and the Officers with the Officers' tie. The ceremonial inauguration of the incoming Prefect body and Officers occurs in June on Founder's Day when the incoming School Captain and Vice-Captains present an offering on the altar of St Mary's Church. Since the 2007/8 academic year, students in the Lower Sixth have been invited to volunteer to be prefects before being assessed on their duties in the spring term.

An Executive Committee of the School, consisting of the School Officers and House Captains meets at least once a term with the Deputy Headmasters, the Senior Master and Head of Sixth Form. The principal functions of the Committee are to respond to disciplinary problems perceived by the Prefects in carrying out their duties, to respond to the needs of staff in the way that duties and the Prefects' disciplinary role is carried out and to act as a forum for debate on future projects or needs of the School.