Nairn Young Leader Award Programme
Over the past two weeks around 170 Primary 6 pupils from Auldearn, Cawdor, Millbank and Rosebank Primary schools have been given the opportunity to take part in and complete a nationally accredited Young Leader Award.
Delivered through The Active Schools Initiative the award offers a programme of generic leadership training (certified by Sports Leaders UK) for young people between the ages of 9-13 years old.
Through a range of games and activities the award encourages the pupils to build both social and working relationships with their peers and younger children, while teaching valuable lifelong leadership skills. With a focus on specific skills such as: giving instructions, the organisation of people and equipment, and the use of space, the topics are taught through a practical activity based, holistic approach in a way that allows the Young Leaders to learn by doing.
On completion of the course the youngsters not only have the confidence and ability to lead others but also have knowledge and experience of an extensive range of games and activities.
Elizabeth McDonald, Highland Council’s Active Schools Co-ordinator said: “The Young Leader Award is a fantastic resource in helping pupils to achieve the four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence offering numerous cross-curricular links and connections to Language, Mathematics, Social Studies and Health and Well Being.
“We hope that embedding the delivery of the Young Leader Award in the Nairn schools calendar will make this programme sustainable within the school curriculum and provide a base line for leadership training that will support and enhance individual school Leadership Programmes.”
She added: “The award is also the first step on the pathway for leadership qualifications that are on offer at Nairn Academy. When the young people move into secondary education they will be given the opportunity to build on the skills learned by being given the opportunity to take part in the various Sports Leader Awards that are on offer, enabling them to better manage future learning and work pathways.”