A course providing the youth of today with the skills to become the leaders of tomorrow is being rolled out nationally. Run by the University of the First Age, a national educational charity and CSV, the UK’s largest volunteering charity, the three day long Student Leadership course is designed to equip young people with the confidence to become leaders in the community and provide them with a practical awareness of both their rights and responsibilities.
Tom Harrison, CSV student leadership manager says: “The Student Leadership course looks to give responsibility to students, empowering them and equipping them with the skills needed to become positive leaders, not just within their immediate peer group, but also within their school and the wider community.
“Students have commented that on the completion of the course they have noticed an improvement in terms of their self confidence, skills development and overall attitude. The course also trains adult facilitators. Teachers who have participated have enjoyed engaging with young people in new ways, which has had a positive impact.
“We feel strongly that the Student Leadership Course is not only helping to create the leaders of tomorrow, it is also developing responsible citizens of the UK for the 21st Century.”
Co-designed and co-developed by young people for young people the course takes place over three days and provides the students with challenges to develop their communication, teamwork and leadership skills. By the third day the young people are able to set the agenda and lead the training session.
The Student Leadership course was initially developed in partnership with the University of the First Age, NCSL and CSV and supported by London Challenge. The course has been piloted in London from January 2004 and is now available nationally, with courses already confirmed in Bolton and Northampton.
To book a student leadership course contact: contact CSV Education on 020 7643 1435 or education@csv.org.uk. Costs are £65 per person with a minimum of 100 students per course. The course is for young people aged between 11 and 14 years of age.
Student quotes:
“What you have done is turn me from a quiet teenager into the next prime minister!” Barking Abbey student
“I thought I should let you know how life changing it has been for me because when I first came to the course I was shy. I used to have confidence but then there were lots of problems in my life in the last 1-2 years so I lost it and life was just empty until I was invited to come to the course and I feel so proud of myself. I'm going teach these skills to those that don’t have them. Thank you so much” Hackney Free Secondary School student
“I now know the true meaning of respect” George Green’s School student
When I came they said I would have to do a presentation on day 3. I thought no way could I do that, no way I could stand up and speak in front of people. Now I feel like I want to do it and enjoy doing it” St Mark’s student
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For further information, pictures and to arrange interviews please contact Felicity Martin, Marketing and PR Manager on: 0121 202 2345 or
e-mail on: fmartin@aoy.org.uk or Paul Donohoe, CSV Press Office, 020 7812 0037/ pdonohoe@csv.org.uk
Notes for Editors
1. The UFA is an educational charity working in partnership with LAs, schools and communities to extend learning beyond the school day. Raising young peoples aspirations and achievements by improving confidence and self belief through exciting and memorable educational experiences is at the heart of what we do. The UFA was founded in 1996 as part of Tim Brighouse’s vision to transform educational opportunity and achievement for young people within Birmingham. Over 500,000 young people have taken part in UFA activity since 1996. Log on at www.ufa.org.uk
2. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. Last year 227,000 people gave 5 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV. CSV trains 12,705 people of all ages. www.csv.org.uk
3. Benefits of the course for schools:
• The programme links very closely with national education agendas such as Pupil Voice, Every Child Matters, Citizenship Education, Personalised Learning, Extended Schools.
• Provides a great opportunity for young people to gain leadership skills that can be utilised in school, community and employment settings.
• Young people participating in the course are able to have their learning accredited.
4. Costs of the package are from £65 per person and for this a delegate would get:
• A one day train the trainer course fro adults designed to teach them how to be facilitators and run the course.
• A three day student leadership course for 100 young people aged between 11 and 14.
• eCopies of the materials and facilitator notes that you can run the course again for other young people in the future.
• The opportunity to participate in further two day peer facilitator training course and similar initiatives .