During the KS2 Young Leaders Award pupils explore the work of UK charities and how they can become ambassadors for a chosen charity, raising awareness and money.
Young Leaders often choose to organise community action projects to support charities. Take a look at some examples that we love below.
Pupils from Carlton and Faceby CE Primary School learnt about the work of the charity Diabetes UK as a member of their class has Diabetes. They decided to join in with the charities ‘million step challenge’ by organising a sponsored walk. The Young Leaders collectively completed 125,112 steps and raised £180!
On pupil reflected,
“If you are a leader, things don't revolve around you, they revolve around other people.”
“The pupils gained a deeper understanding of the skills and qualities of leadership. They have a better understanding of diabetes and the pupil and family feel supported by class actions.”
YLA Teacher
KS2 pupils from Sledmere C of E Primary School also organised a sponsored walk, this time to support the NHS. They raised an amazing £820 as they took part in their 7.5 mile walk.
“It has helped me to understand how much charities help and what the NHS has done for us through Covid. It was great to give something back.”
KS2 Pupil
Tacolneston CE VA Primary School’s Young Leaders took on an interesting challenge as they were given £25 each to use to support the community in some way. This money had been donated to the school in the will of a local resident. The pupils decided to organise a ‘Kindness Sale’ where they worked in groups to set up stalls to raise money for charity.
They researched local charities and chose to split the money made at their event between; Star Throwers (supporting children with cancer in Norfolk) P.A.C.T animal sanctuary, Dogs Trust, British Heart Foundation, The Big C (cancer charity in Norfolk) and the St John's Ambulance. In total they raised £620 and received letters of thanks from all the charities.
“I really enjoyed the feeling of raising money for a good cause. I felt so proud of what we had done.”
KS2 Pupil
“The children wholeheartedly have bought into the notion of BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE.”
YLA Teacher
Young Leaders from Greenhead C of E Primary School wanted to support charities particularly working to help people during the Covid-19 pandemic. They got their whole school involved in a sponsored ‘Stadium Challenge’ where they ran laps of their school yard.
They chose to support The Red Cross, to raise money to send oxygen cylinders to India to help Covid-19 sufferers, along with Mind, to support mental health in the area raising £184 for the two charities.
“Through talking to different people, they learnt about the community impact Covid has had and used that to inform their charity choices. The children have developed their independence, confidence and understanding of how you can implement an idea to make a difference. They have all tried hard to create positive opportunities for change within such a difficult time.”
YLA Teacher
These stories show us how children and young people show real passion and care for others and are compelled to action when given the opportunity to learn about the work of charities.
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.
