Leadership Academy

Last year was an extremely busy and productive time for SHSSN Secondary Leadership Academy students. This year 44 students have become members, each volunteering and leading at various events and competitions both in and out of school.

Many of the students have also undertaken leadership roles at Barnhill’s and Long Lane cluster primary schools for taster weeks where they coached primary students, whose ages ranged from Year 1 to Year 6. Tasters this year have included Taekwondo, Rugby, Athletics, Orienteering and Cricket. Previously we have also worked with British Cycling, and Hayes Hawkes Learn to ride sessions where our leaders helped the primary students to learn to ride, some of them for the first time.

Students from Oakwood, Meadow  and Barnhill Secondary schools also helped to set up Change4Life clubs in a number of our Primary schools which have been aimed at increasing the participation and healthy life-styles for students who have had limited or no involvement in clubs previously. Barnhill and Meadow Students have run a C4L festival for these pupils so they get to experience opportunities outside of their school environment, for many of them it is the first time they will have done this.

Feedback from Primary School Teacher:

"Thank you for organising the Change 4 life event.  I meet our children coming in back to school when they returned from the event.  I saw 9 very happy and excited children who told me they had an wonderful time. In particular saw one child who had the biggest smile and kept jumping for joy when he was explaining the activities to me.  If only we could measure that with percentages."

"It was a really enjoyable afternoon and I was really impressed by the organiser - it's well worth the money. I was also impressed with the young leaders who seemed really switched on"

Feedback from Coaches/Organisers:

"Throughout the week I have been lucky enough to work with a number of young leaders who have supported sessions that have involved over 600 Hillingdon primary school children! Every single one of these young leaders has contributed to making the sessions a success. I have been so impressed by their commitment, confidence, maturity and ability to just get stuck in! They have been a pleasure to work with and they are all a real credit to themselves and the schools they represent."

"The leaders were excellent and he looks forward to working with them again."

Our Leaders have also volunteered at the London Youth Games (LYG) Finals at Crystal Palace, assisting with the running of various competitions. Lots of them have gained the Games Force Award for event management. The have also helped at LYG inclusive events, including Wheel Chair Tennis, Boccia, Panathlon and Inclusive Tennis. They receive fantastic feedback when helping at these events and are personally asked back to help again the following year.