LOCAL PRIMARY PUPILS LEAD SOCIAL ACTION

~ Hampshire Collegiate Prep School pupils graduate from Primary Student Leadership Programme at Barclays HQ in London ~

~ Pupils celebrate completion of their social action projects ~

Last week, a group of Year 6 pupils from Hampshire Collegiate School (HCPS) celebrated graduating from United Learning's Primary Student Leadership Programme.

United Learning – the group to which the school belongs – launched the programme to encourage primary pupils across the Group to get involved in social action projects, raising awareness and funds to support issues they care about. In a ceremony held on Friday 4 March at Barclays HQ in London, HCPS was one of 11 United Learning schools across the country whose pupils celebrated graduating from the programme.

Back in December, pupils attended an initial workshop designed to build their confidence in their own leadership potential and help kick-start discussions amongst the children about world issues and how they could have a positive impact on these. In groups, they chose an issue that was particularly important to them on which they could base a social action project.

Following the workshop, HCPS pupils developed a project back at school with help from a Year 8 mentor from Kettering Buccleuch Academy – another United Learning school. The project involved the pupils raising awareness of the global issue of deforestation and raising money for the World Land Trust charity.

At the graduation ceremony last week, they had to give a presentation about it to the rest of the groups, sharing what they had hoped to achieve, what they had learnt and how they had tried to have a positive impact on their chosen issue.

As well as presenting on their project, the pupils received an award for their project and took part in a workshop with Free the Children and The Diana Award who taught them about how children can lead positive change within their own lives and communities. To finish off the day, they also enjoyed a special performance from Lara Lee, a finalist on BBC's The Voice, who as a singer and poet has focused a lot of time on youth and community projects.

Laura Kemp, Year 6 Teacher at HCPS, said “I was very impressed with the maturity, dedication and enthusiasm the Year 6 pupils showed throughout this project. The project has really empowered the children to realise they can achieve anything they set their mind to.”

George commented “I enjoyed being involved with the project because we got to raise a lot of money for charity and worked together with friends.”

Susie said “I learnt a lot more about deforestation and the Rainforest and it was a fun trip out to London.”

For more details contact: Hampshire Collegiate Prep School on 01794 515737 or via email: hcps@hampshirecs.org.uk

For press enquiries please contact: Susannah Rendall, Marketing & Events Co-ordinator susannah.rendall@hampshirecs.org.uk Tel: 01256 512206