Pupils at Co-op Academy Woodlands have started the Co-op Young Leaders Award. Twenty pupils from Years 4, 5, and 6 took part in a whole-day event led by Mrs Garrity from Co-op Academy Stoke. She delivered the programme focusing on key skills that pupils need in order to develop leadership skills. They undertook tasks that involved working on their own speaking and listening skills, providing feedback, and presenting with confidence. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to start their leadership journey.

The next task for the Co-op Young Leaders is to volunteer their time to support others. We can’t wait to see what they get up to and share their successes with you. Keep an eye out for our Co-op Young Leaders wearing their badges with pride!

The children did Woodlands proud on their first day with Mrs Garrity on the Co-op Young Leaders Programme. They showed fantastic enthusiasm and excitement and I can’t wait to see them flourish in their leadership roles.

Miss Faulkner, Personal Development Leader

To ensure that the Co-op Young Leaders Programme is effective and has the greatest impact, discussions took place pre-delivery to establish the selection of students, how Leadership will develop at Woodlands and the member of staff that will take the lead to ensure the effective running of the programme for students. Meetings with Woodlands staff were very productive with a clear vision of creating a group of leaders who would deliver community activities, act as role models and ambassadors for the academy and assist in supporting the mentoring and teaching of younger students across the academy.

Woodlands students gained so much from the training, all students felty that they were gaining confidence and developing self-esteem. Due to the fact that they gave 100% effort throughout the day, the presentations they delivered to their peers at the end of the training day, were amazing!

I am really looking forward to seeing how their leadership journey progresses.

Liz Garrity – Director of CYL Programme