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On Monday 30 June, Westminster City School hosted its annual Student Leadership Dinner in the prestigious State Rooms of the Speaker’s House at the House of Commons. This special evening brought together students, staff, and distinguished guests to celebrate the achievements, growth, and future of our Student Leadership Team.

The event recognised the incredible work of our student leaders over the past year, with a focus on service, aspiration, and the impact of leadership within and beyond the school community. Held in one of the most beautiful, iconic and historic venue, the evening was a memorable occasion that left a lasting impression on all in attendance.

Nadine Bernard, visionary Headteacher and CEO of Aspiring Heads, inspired the students with her message of servant leadership:

“What a great future we have if it’s in the hands of the young people here today. Like a mustard seed that is small but full of promise, leadership grows to shelter and serve others. That’s what I see in all of you.”

Aboyowa who is in Year 12 and a Senior Prefect, reflected on the privilege of being part of the event, saying:

“It felt so surreal being in an environment that holds so much history. Visiting the House of Commons was truly inspiring and fuelled my goal to become a policy advisor, using behavioural economics to make policies more effective and beneficial to the wider society.”

She added that a key takeaway from the evening was understanding the importance of knowing your own potential as a leader: “That knowledge helps you develop resilience and encourages others to reach their own potential too.”

Head Prefect, Ronni, who is also in Year 12, described the evening as a personal growth opportunity, stating:

“It was a great chance to get to know more about the staff who work so hard behind the scenes at Westminster City School. It was definitely out of my comfort zone and not only is the Speaker’s House breathtaking, but networking and navigating the etiquette really helped me grow in confidence.”

Ronni was particularly moved by guest speaker, Nadine Bernard’s words. She highlighted that, “her emphasis on serving others and realising your full potential has really stuck with me. I look forward to helping to build a school community at Westminster City School where everyone can thrive and be the best version of themselves.”

Wes Streeting, who addressed the audience with a great reflection on leadership, said:

“Wherever power is exercised, it’s important that those decisions serve the people who are affected by them. Leadership isn’t about titles or roles; it’s about how you choose to make a difference in the world you live in.”

Year 13 student, Barney, who was Deputy Head Prefect in 2024, shared similar sentiments:

“I’m so grateful that Westminster City School can hold events at such a notable location. It’s a privilege to walk the same halls as world leaders who have attended events at Speaker’s House in the past. The evening raised my aspirations and reassured me that while progress isn’t always linear, how you respond to challenges matters most.”

Barney’s highlight was sitting next to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting during the dinner, who shared “insights about his journey, including the challenges and the importance of being the change you once wished to see.”

Mr Peter Broughton, Headteacher at Westminster City School, said:

“This was a fantastic event celebrating all that is great about our student leaders and the transformative excellence that a Westminster City School education provides. The chance to recognise our young people in this iconic building is only possible due to our school's location in the heart of London. My thanks to the Speaker for kindly allowing us to use the State Rooms, the irrepressible Nadine Bernard for her inspiring words, to Wes Streeting for finding the time to join us in a busy week, and to our local MP Rachel Blake. The future is bright.”

We extend our heartfelt thanks to those who made this special evening possible:

• Nadine Bernard, Headteacher and CEO of Aspiring Heads, for her powerful and uplifting words on leadership.
• Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for his time and encouragement to our students.
• Rachel Blake MP, for her continued support of our school community.
• Ugbana Oyet, Serjeant at Arms, for kindly hosting us in the historic Speaker’s House.
• And finally, Mr Speaker, for generously allowing us to use the State Rooms at the House of Commons to celebrate our student leaders in such an exceptional way.