Co-op Young Leaders
The Co-op Young Leaders (CYL) training programme has shown remarkable engagement over the past few months. Daniela Faldusova, the CYL lead, delivered the programme in 13 academies and has trained around 150 new Co-op Young Leaders.
A new development, is the introduction of job descriptions and personal specifications for the Co-op Young Leader roles. This structured approach allows students to formally apply for their positions, fostering a professional environment and encouraging them to take ownership of their responsibilities.
More Co-op Young Leaders Stories from across the Trust.
Co-op Academy Bebington
Co-op Academy Bebington has made an exciting decision to embed the Co-op Young Leaders programme into the PSHE curriculum for new Year 7 students from the next academic year. Giving all students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills from the start of their secondary school journey, fostering confidence, independence, and a strong sense of community.
By integrating the programme into PSHE, the academy is reinforcing its commitment to empowering students, encouraging them to take on active roles in school life, and preparing them with essential life skills for the future.
‘I feel more confident as I know now that the audience will listen to me. Also, the CYL helped me to meet some people that I hardly talk to. Also when I am doing tours I now know that I should be confident. For example if I had another chance to do my presentation in front of my class, I would as I have learnt how to make a presentation in front of others as best as it can possibly be.’
Co-op Academy Delius
Co-op Academy Delius hosted a Young Leaders Training session, where pupils from Year's 5 & 6 took part in a morning of leadership development. The training aimed to build pupils’ communication skills, teamwork, and confidence to prepare them for their roles as Co-op Young Leaders and Playground Leaders.
Throughout the session, pupils engaged in a variety of interactive activities designed to enhance their ability to communicate effectively, support their peers, and demonstrate leadership in the playground. They worked collaboratively on team-building exercises and explored ways to create a positive and inclusive play environment for all children.
By the end of the session, the pupils showed increased confidence and enthusiasm. Eager to take on their new responsibilities and a renewed commitment to helping others. They are now well-prepared to be role models within the school community.
Co-op Academy Leeds
There were 20 CYLs trained at Co-op Academy Leeds as Young Interpreters. Welcoming and supporting new EAL (English as and Additional Language) students around the academy and to be at the forefront of all parental engagement and cultural events. This fosters a sense of pride in their multilingual abilities and highlights the importance of maintaining and celebrating students’ heritage languages around the school and in the community.
‘I think it has benefited me by teaching me how to communicate with people who I do not know.’
‘I am more confident, and can communicate to people who don't speak the same language.’
Co-op Academy Nightingale
The CYLs at Co-op Academy Nightingale were trained to be involved in various roles around the school. They assist with playground activities during breaks and lunches. They support their peers as mental health ambassadors and welcome new EAL pupils to their school.
Co-op Academy Priesthorpe
A group of talented student interpreters from Co-op Academy Priesthorpe participated in "Mother Tongue, Other Tongue" a multilingual poetry competition, hosted by Manchester Metropolitan University. The event celebrates linguistic diversity and creativity, providing a unique platform for our students to showcase their poetic talents in their native and foreign languages.
Eleven entries were submitted by students who wrote poems in a variety of languages, including Spanish, French, Persian, Latvian, Yoruba, Telugu, Polish, Romanian, Urdu and Tamil.
The event was a celebration of multilingualism, bringing together students from across the region. Throughout the day, our students had the opportunity to attend workshops on creative writing and poetry led by professional poets and educators.
This competition provides a great platform for students to share and celebrate culture, identity and diversity. We are incredibly proud of all the students who submitted entries, sharing their experiences and stories with us in so many different languages.
Co-op Academy Southfield
Students at Co-op Academy Southfield have the CYL programme embedded in their Careers programme. CYLs run the Co-op store onsite, deliver assemblies, run year 6 transition days and fundraise. All these initiatives contribute to the personal and academic growth of the students.
Staff reported how much the students engaged with the CYL workshop and gained an understanding of what being a leader looks like and the ways they could develop their leadership skills in school. Students have now taken an active part in transition parents meetings for year 6 students joining the school in September. They are currently setting up a mock election ahead of 4th July with their peers in KS4. The CYL are keen to share their successes with Daniela and are extremely proud to be Co-op Young Leaders, wearing their hoodies every day!
The new CYL applications foster a professional environment and encourage taking ownership of their responsibilities. I look forward to continuing this journey and witnessing further achievements from our talented students. Thank you for your continued support in making the CYL programme a success.
