Youngsters learn how to be leaders
PUPILS TAKE PART IN GROUNDBREAKING COURSE CALLED ‘THINK’
YOUNG people in Manchester have been taking part in a ground-breaking course aimed at giving them the vital skills needed to develop their critical thinking, leadership and resilience.
The intensive residential course, ‘Think,’ is run by the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace, based in Warrington.
Named after two schoolboys who were killed in the town 24 years ago, the foundation was set up with the mission of helping break the cycle of violence and to prevent extremism through education.
Designed specifically for young people, the course is funded by the Home Office through its Prevent programme.
Pupils from schools across Manchester have taken part in the course which explores some of the big issues facing the world today including extremism and radicalisation.
Its starting point is to celebrate difference and teach young people respect by exploring different viewpoints and putting themselves in other peoples’ shoes.
Pupils are also helped to recognise and challenge prejudice and discrimination.
Through the development of these key skills, the course also aims to build young people’s resilience and to give them the tools needed to help educate and build resilience in others.
Pupils from Levenshulme High and Whalley Range 11-18 High schools are amongst those who have taken part in the course. The pupils from the two schools already had leadership roles in school and were chosen as role models and for their ability to be able to positively influence other pupils through their learning after the course.
Patsy Kane, executive headteacher at Levenshulme High and Whalley Range 11-18 High schools, said: “The course has had a profound and hugely positive impact on the pupils who have taken part and has really motivated them.
“It has taught them vital listening skills and the importance of having respect for other people’s views. Already they’re sharing their learning and are doing some excellent, really thoughtful, leadership work with other pupils on some difficult subjects that we all know can be very hard to talk about.
“The skills they’ve learnt will stay with them for life, and are the kind of skills that everyone – not just young people – need to be taught.”
Nick Taylor, chief executive of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace, said: “Our Think course encourages young people to listen to the viewpoints of others, to walk in their shoes and to consider the impact of different beliefs and behaviours on others.”