A group of Year 11 students from Norton Hill School have shown that it is possible to not only be in the final stages of preparing for their GCSE exams, but also to work towards a national leadership award on the side.
The group of twelve students have spent the last year taking on extra responsibilities and attending after-school master-classes at local universities, all with a view to gaining the national
‘Language Leaders’ award.Run by the same leadership development organisation as the more well-known ‘Sports Leaders’ awards, the languages programme has the same aims of developing generic leadership and communication skills and building confidence in students, all through the context of language learning.
The group initially had a number of theory sessions, led by academic staff from the University of Bath and the Graduate School of Education at Bristol University, as well as a leadership development session with Norton Hill Headteacher and CEO of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, Alun Williams.
The students then went on to use their knowledge and skills in a series of real-life challenges. The group supported the school’s primary languages day, organised and hosted the regional finals of the national French spelling bee contest, and then planned and delivered a full languages lesson for a Year 7 group at the school.
Year 11 student and Holcombe resident, Alice Mitchell, one of the graduates of the award scheme, said: “It’s been challenging to take on all this extra work on top of our day-to-day studies, but the skills I have developed by taking part in the award scheme will serve me well, as I’m preparing to start my A Levels in September.”
Headteacher, Alun Williams, added: “The Language Leaders award scheme is just one example of the brilliant range of opportunities here that our students are able to take part in, alongside their academic studies. We congratulate this group of students on their achievement and wish them well for the final few months leading up to their GCSE exams.”