Education Sunday – a national day of prayer and celebration.

The Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust is continuing to develop its Young Leaders Award with a number of students from one of its pilot schools becoming ambassadors for local charities. The students are also developing their leadership skills through giving talks in schools, helping to run a charity fundraising event and volunteering in the community. Reflecting on Education Sunday, the Archbishop said:

“Part of my role is to visit schools and I regularly see wonderful work. Today, I want to encourage you to be thankful for your schools and celebrate the opportunity we have to provide our children and young people with a sound education. But most of all let us celebrate and pray for our young people. The students I’ve met through the Young Leaders Award are beginning to ‘be the change they want to see’ in their communities and I’m excited by these signs of hope. I look forward to hearing about how these students, along with thousands of others who are involved in the Awards this year, have served others in their community.”

These are challenging times for young people today. In previous years many people would not even have been aware of the term NEET (not in education, employment or training) but now the word is used more widely with youth unemployment at over 1 million. Times are also changing for schools as they respond to new education policies and demands. A student completing the Young Leaders Award said

“This course is enabling me to achieve my goals and help others – it gives me opportunities and experience. I feel lucky to be a part of the programme’.

About the Young Leaders Award

The Young Leaders Award combines classroom learning, with practical projects focused on community action. It is an exciting course for secondary school students developed by the Archbishop of York Youth Trust. Available for schools and churches this resource will equip young people to be a force for good in their local community.