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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.

Contents 1 United Kingdom 2 Other Commonwealth countries 3 Outside the Commonwealth 4 See also 5 References

[edit] United Kingdom

In some British schools the student body (or the headteacher) appoints or elects a pupil or pupils as Head Boys and/or Head Girl. Head Boys/Girls are usually responsible for representing the school at events, and therefore must be able to make public speeches. They may also be expected to lead fellow Prefects in their duties. Deputy Head Boys/Girls may also be appointed.

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

[edit] Other Commonwealth countries

Outside of the United Kingdom, many Public schools throughout the Commonwealth, particularly in the Caribbean and Asia, use the term Head Boy or Head Girl. Many other countries instead elect a President or Captain of the student government or Senior Prefect. However, the title continues to be used as title for the elected head of the student government at private schools, as well as maintaining currency throughout New Zealand, where almost every secondary school has a Head Boy and/or Girl

All schools in India, and many in the Commonwealth Caribbean, as well as South Africa follow the same system as that in the United Kingdom, having Head Girls and Head Boys, Vice-Head Girl/Boy, Prefects and Class Representative. The Head Girl & Boy assist the teachers and administration of the school.Ghanaian schools also follow a similar system although some schools appoint Head Prefect or Senior Prefect and assistant senior prefect.

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 principle, to the valedictorian at a American high school. What would otherwise be known as a Head of School at an equivalent British institution is known at Upper Canada College as the Head Steward.

In Sri Lankan Public and Private schools the term Head Boy/Girl is not used, instead the post of Head Prefect exists along with Deputy Head Prefects. In D.S. Senanayake College, an A1 grade public school in Colombo,also uses the term Head Prefect. He is assisted by appox. 2 Senior Deputy Head Prefects and 3 Deputy Head Prefects along with whom make up the 'TOP BOARD'. Also Senior Prefects and Student Volunteers do exist.

[edit] Outside the Commonwealth

The term has become familiar to American readers through the Harry Potter books; Hogwarts School is loosely based on British public schools. The term is also often used in Ireland.

[edit] See also

• Head Girl
• Senior Prefect
• Prefect
• Hall Monitor

[edit] References

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