20 pupils from Raynville Primary School in Leeds have recently completed the Key Stage 2 Young Leaders Award (YLA). Through the YLA, Young Leaders learn key leadership skills, grow in character and have practical opportunities to volunteer and help others in their community.
Working with the elderly at a local day centre, the Raynville Young Leaders supported those with early-stage Dementia for their YLA community project. The Young Leaders spent time listening to the elderly resident’s stories, making them tea and playing carpet boules and balloon tennis with them. They got to experience first-hand what life was like for those suffering with Dementia, which many of them had not seen before. Using their knowledge and understanding from helping the residents has also meant that the Young Leaders have been awarded with Dementia Friendly Badges by the Alzheimer Society.
“The day with the elderly was fun. It was the first time we met them and it was like meeting a friend”
Hao, Young Leader
“I thought it was amazing because the elderly told me about the past and the jobs they used to do. I really enjoyed doing it.”
Amy, Young Leader
Through the YLA, pupils also have the opportunity to take part in personal projects to help put the leadership skills and character virtues they have learnt in practice. The personal projects the Young Leaders from Raynville took part in included taking food to the homeless in their community, making tea for their families and taking out their neighbour’s bins.
“The children thoroughly enjoyed talking with the elderly, and encouraging them to participate in activities. Furthermore, the care workers reported that the elderly made more of an effort to get involved with activities when the children were around, as it gave them a reason to talk about the past, their jobs or their school days. There is no doubt that both old and young benefitted from this interaction.”
Hilary Smith, Teacher at Raynville Primary
Find out more about how you can run the Young Leaders Award in your school setting by visiting – abyyt.com/young-leaders-award or by contacting Rozy Brian (Strategic Lead for Primary Awards) on rozy.brian@abyyt.com.
Year 5 Young Leaders at Witton Church Walk Church of England Nursery and Primary School decided they wanted to raise awareness of asylum seekers and homeless people in their local area.
Courageous advocacy and enabling pupils to be active ‘agents of change’ is at the heart of St Thomas Cantilupe Church of England Primary’s vision for their students.
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Year 4 pupils at St Thomas' CofE Primary School spent a week learning about the North Kensington Community Kitchen for their Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award.
