Young Leaders @ Coombe Dean |
A group of year 8 students have just completed the Young Leaders Award. This group of 25 eager leaders stayed behind school on a Friday for 2 hours for three consecutive weeks! During the sessions they learnt the importance of leading a Fun, Fair and Safe activity.
The group explored the use of the STEP principle for running an activity. They looked how important it is to consider Space, Task, Equipment and People when planning and running a session. They discovered how the success of a session can be influenced by altering any one or all of these elements.
They had great fun practising using a loud voice (sorry for the noise if you were one of the people having a workout in the fitness suite!!) and controlling a game through correct use of space and equipment. They particularly enjoyed planning and leading their own session to the rest of the group.
This group have now the opportunity to gain a school based award. By volunteering and helping with school or community based activities they can gain a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. The students can help with extra-curricular activities, inter-tutor/guild competitions and sports festivals. The next Young Leaders course will take place after half term and by the end of the school I hope to have trained all year 8 students as Young Leaders. In KS4 these students will then be encouraged to register as a ‘Step Into Sport' Volunteer. The nationally run leadership and volunteering programme for young people.
The Young Leaders Award is an important aspect of Coombe Deans strong leadership programme. KS 4 & 5 students already have the opportunity to complete the Youth Sports Trusts Level 1 & 2 Sports Leaders Awards and sports governing body ‘Bolt on' awards and the PE department include leadership as part of its' KS 3 & 4 core PE curriculum.
To continue to develop leadership and volunteering I am in the process of setting up a Leadership Academy at Coombe Dean School. This will give those students with an interest in leading and volunteering an opportunity to be part of the Schools already strong student voice.
