Head Boy

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Head Boy and Head Girl are terms commonly used in the British education system, and in private schools throughout the Commonwealth.

[edit] United Kingdom

In some British schools the student body (or the headteacher, headmaster or headmistress) appoints a member of the highest grade or form to perform a series of duties to help the organisation of the school. Normally one boy (who becomes the "Head Boy") and/or one girl (who becomes the "Head Girl") are chosen to do this. Head Boys/Girls are usually responsible for representing the school at events, and therefore must be good public speakers.

It is not uncommon for a series of Deputy Head Boys and/or Deputy Head Girls to be appointed in order to help the Head Boy and Head Girl with their duties. A lower rank position may be that of prefect.

It is seen in many schools that when a student vote takes place, the Head Boy/Girl race becomes a "popularity contest". In recent years it has not been uncommon for Head Boys and Head Girls to put up posters and rally support through stunts and events, making the race seem very Americanised. Elections are also something often surrounded in rumour, speculation and mystery. Sometimes it is a straight vote of the student body, sometimes it is a teachers' vote, and sometimes a mix of the two.

The traditional formal title for the Head Boy in most public schools in the UK is Head of School. Heads of School in many public schools have considerable power and are often largely responsible for maintaining school discipline outside class.

[edit] Other Commonwealth countries

Public schools throughought the Commonwealth, outside of the United Kingdom (where the term "public school" has a different meaning), do not use the term Head Boy or Head Girl, instead electing a President or Captain of the student government. However, the title continues to be applied to the elected head of the student government at private schools.

Upper Canada College, a private school in Toronto, uses the title Head Boy differently, applying it to the student who has achieved the highest academic standing in their graduating class, similar in principal to the Valedictorian at an U.S. American high school. What would otherwise be known as a Head of School at an equivalent British institution is known at UCC as the Head Steward.

Schools in Australia use the term School Captain, or occasionally, College Captain.