320 Year 8 and Year 9 students from Archbishop Holgate’s School, a Church of England Academy, will be recognised for their remarkable volunteering projects at a Young Leaders’ Award Ceremony. The Young Leaders Award, developed by the Archbishop of York Youth Trust, has been delivered through the School’s Citizenship lessons.

School teacher Mrs Caroline Capper said:

“The Award is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about people of faith such as Martin Luther King, Ghandi, Bono and Nelson Mandela.  Students learned about how these people campaigned for change and then reflected on how they themselves could bring about change in the local communities where they live and work.  Each of the students chose to complete three acts of volunteering, which have been truly remarkable.  This first cohort of pupils to complete this Award have shown how much can be achieved. This is not just classroom learning, this is about actually doing something positive, challenging and rewarding to make our communities better places to live in.”

Volunteering projects included sponsored sporting activities, free babysitting and dog walking, taking elderly neighbours’ bins out regularly, planning and hosting a concert, helping grandparents with gardening, running a Fair Trade stall and presenting assemblies on the work of the RSPCA. Over £500 was raised for different charities including St Leonard’s Hospice, The Dogs’ Trust, Comic Relief, Fikelela, Joining Jack, Well Child, and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The Award Ceremony will be attended by the pupils, parents and carers, the teaching staff, as well as representatives of some of the charities supported by the pupils.  Archbishop Holgate’s School Headteacher Andrew Daly said:

“This event will be a wonderful opportunity to reward and celebrate the selfless and inspirational work our young people have achieved.”

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said:

“I would like to congratulate each student on their achievement of this Award.  But it does not stop here!  My challenge for all of you is to keep up your good work.  The Young Leaders Award has a ripple effect, as more people go through the programme, they learn and develop new skills, they start to believe in themselves and the potential for positive change grows. It’s not just about the students, but the teachers, the school, and the community is touched by a great spirit of generosity. You can make a difference – go for it!”

The students will be presented with a Young Leaders Award by the Archbishop of York.

About The Young Leaders Award

The Young Leaders Award is a school-based programme which aims to equip young people with skills to be a force for good in their local communities and encourages active citizenship from a young age.  The Awards are available at Key Stages 2, 3, 4 and Post 16.