Eastern Leadership Centre

Eventually it is hoped to create a secure mobile `social network’ interface to this server `hub’ for young people’s leadership skills and experiences. The ELC iLeaders group training days, workshops, and events can eventually be complemented by a virtual network of future leaders in the making.

Swavesey is the regional hub (SSAT Deep Leadership Hub) for research into school leadership and has led a number of regional and national events focused on Student Leadership and Student Voice. It is planned that this programme will be rolled out to other schools, giving student the confidence to take appropriate actions and lead responsibly.

“Swavesey is no longer just a school which educates people to pass exams. It does that but goes way beyond, teaching people life skills which will help them in some respects more than a sheet with GCSE grades. I have experience of talking to large numbers of people, managing groups, and implementing new ideas. Being at Swavesey and it has developed me as a person as well as a student.”

For the Eastern Leadership Centre, Chief Executive, Grant Bage, commented: “We want to give young people the confidence to lead themselves and their friends. In a time when teenagers are so often demonised by the actions of a disengaged minority, students at Swavesey Village College are about to show a different face of life in Britain today.

"iLeaders has been created by the ELC with the support of the pupils and teachers in a school that encourages pupil voice and involvement – enabling the gifts, energy, and determination of young people to lead each other into making improvements. The ELC has invented iLeaders approach because the future of a happy and productive community is as much about leadership on the ground as it is about academic qualifications.”

For Swavesey Village College, Vice Principal, Andy Daly, who heads up the Pupil Voice initiative, commented: “iLeaders is different. It’s already proved exciting and challenging for those involved. Naturally, our top students are all now participating in leadership development, but what really impresses me as an experienced teacher is the number of students with less than perfect discipline and achievement records who have responded to the iLeaders challenge. There’s something about the activities in this programme that `resets the Year 10 clock’, allowing the young person to voice their opinions, engage in the process, and demonstrate leadership skills. You have to be there to understand the impact of this approach, but it’s truly awe-inspiring to witness. I predict the impact of iLeaders will be far-reaching. “

*******

To attend the training day and set up interviews with iLeaders, ELC programme tutors, and senior teachers from Swavesey Village College, please telephone Michael Shuff, Head of Marketing and PR, at the Eastern Leadership Centre:

Landline: 01223 499203
Mobile: 07710 452969.

Email: Michael.Shuff@elc-cambridge.org

www.elc-cambridge.org