Whole Education & Learn to lead pilot truly student-led network

Heather Tyldesley, Network Facilitator reports on exciting times ahead –  The Whole Education Network’s long-term ambition of establishing a student network that is truly student-led takes a big step forward this year, starting with Whole Education working alongside Learn to Lead on a pilot involving five schools in the south west.

Students from Downend School, Mangotsfield School, Marlwood School and The Castle School from Bristol and Ansford Academy from Somerset have now received Learn to lead training at The Blue School’s wonderful student centre and have returned to their schools enthused and inspired to make a difference to their school.

The pilot is only the first step on a much longer journey, as Whole Education were delighted to secure Youth Social Action Funding from Cabinet Office and Pears Foundation that will enable us to grow youth social action in other regions of the country. The funding will allow us to introduce students to excellent practice in schools across our network as well as the fantastic work some of our partners do, including University of the First Age, Makewaves and National Citizen Service.

In the new year our students will be helping us to design the next steps of the south west pilot, and also the national roll-out of a student network, and we look forward to reporting back on progress made.