Resilient Leaders Elements™ partners with Rugby School to reshape Sixth Form leadership development and prefect selection

Reflecting Rugby School’s “the whole person, the whole point” philosophy, a new partnership with Resilient Leaders Elements™ is providing resilient leadership development for every lower sixth former, and reshaping prefect selection around observable behaviours and real-world capability.

Lower Sixth Form Students at Rugby School, UK

Resilient Leaders Elements™ has announced a new partnership with Rugby School to introduce a structured, development-centred approach to building resilient leadership capability in all lower sixth form students. Rugby School is the first school in the world to adopt the Resilient Leaders Development Programme™, signalling a commitment to making world-class leadership development available to every student, not just those in formal leadership roles.

The partnership marks a move beyond traditional sixth form preparation for leadership roles, placing greater emphasis on how resilient leadership behaviours are demonstrated and strengthened over time. In doing so, it sets a new benchmark for how schools develop these critical capabilities, increasingly required in higher education, the workplace and wider society.

As part of the new process, all lower sixth form students have access to a personalised leadership development programme (Resilient Leaders Development Programme™) throughout the academic year. The programme combines insight, feedback and supported practice through structured development activities and guided reflection.

Rugby School, UK

As part of the new process, the 189 students involved in Sixth Form leadership selection (known as the Levée), alongside Heads of School and Heads of House, will participate in a series of development activities designed without assigned leaders. Overseen by RLE™ and Rugby School, the activities create space for individuals to step forward or back as the situation requires, allowing leadership to emerge based on strengths and contribution, not status. The focus is on how students communicate, collaborate, make decisions under pressure and contribute to group performance in real time.

This approach reflects the belief that effective leadership is situational and shared. It recognises not only the ability to lead at the right moment, but also the awareness to support others when their strengths are better suited to the task.

Together, these elements strengthen resilience and teamwork as students prepare for life beyond school.

As part of the process, students will provide both written and verbal feedback to their peers so that everyone can authentically answer the question: “What is it about who I am and what I do that would have people choose to follow me?”

This feedback forms a core element of the selection process, giving students ownership, whilst reinforcing reflection and learning.

Rachel Cooper, Co-Founder and CEO of RLE™, pictured with Lara Hampton, Deputy Head of Rugby School

Rachel Cooper, Co-founder and CEO of Resilient Leaders Elements™, said:

“Rugby is trailblazing by providing their sixth form with this opportunity. They are sending the message that everyone leads and therefore deserves leadership development so that, when the situation requires us to step and lead, we are ready. The Levée plays a critical role in the life of the school and so it is hugely important that the right people are selected and are willingly supported by their teams. This programme is about equipping all students with the self-awareness and Resilient Leadership capabilities they will need long after they leave Rugby.”

Lara Hampton, Deputy Head of Rugby School, added:

“At Rugby School, we are committed to preparing our students not just for academic success, but also to lead and contribute in a complex and rapidly changing world. This partnership supports that ambition by giving students meaningful developmental experiences and a clearer understanding of what effective leadership looks like in practice.”

The partnership represents a further step in Rugby School's commitment to innovation across the school (academic study, co-curricular activities, pastoral care and leadership development), ensuring students are supported as they grow into confident and capable young leaders.

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About Resilient Leaders Elements

Resilient Leaders Elements (RLE™) is a global leadership development organisation underpinned by 25 years of research and real-world application with a clear mission: preparing people to lead with confidence in uncertainty.

We do this by making world-class leadership development available to all through our Resilient Leaders Development Programme (RLDP™) - built by leaders for leaders. As thought leaders and trusted design and delivery partners in Resilient Leadership, we combine the wisdom of our global consultant community with world-class leadership development programmes and data-led intelligence from our RLDP™ database.

Our 2026 vision focuses on expanding powerful partnerships and delivering insights that build confidence in uncertainty and transform how leaders navigate complexity and change.

Through the four Resilient Leaders Elements: Awareness, Leadership Presence, Clarity of Direction and Resilient Decision Making, we have accredited over 200 consultants across multiple countries and established ourselves as leaders in building resilient leadership capability.