Children in Windermere have been introduced to leadership, entrepreneurship and teamwork.
Headquartered in south Cumbria, The Family Business Network has partnered with St Martin and St Mary’s School in Windermere to participate in the innovative programme run by the Centre for Leadership Performance (CfLP).
Now in its ninth year, the 2021 Bright Stars Programme has engaged schools and businesses across the county to work together over an eight-week period, starting on May 4 and concluding on Monday.
The scheme is said to offer huge benefits to children and communities across the county with youngsters introduced to leadership, entrepreneurship and teamwork in a fun and accessible way. Local businesses meanwhile are able to connect with young people and positively impact their local communities.
CfLP executive director, Sarah Glass said: “The Centre for Leadership Performance and its partners were determined that despite the pandemic, the programme should go ahead in 2021 with new safeguarding arrangements to deliver valuable and positive experiences for the children.”
Sue Howorth (founder and co-director) along with Rebecca Keen of The Family Business Network mentored the year six class at St Martin and St Mary’s, who were working to develop the theme of ‘Make A Difference’, creating their own campaign, ‘ABLE – A Better Lakes for Everyone’.
Focusing on the environment
Their campaign focused on environmental issues and making a difference in their area, which all the pupils were very passionate about.
The class formed ten separate focus groups to work on specific themes related to the environment. Eager to make a difference, the pupils wrote letters to Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, Tim Farron describing their campaign and asking for his help to raise awareness and encourage change.
The class was delighted to receive responses back from Tim Farron as well as additional responses from other MPs in parliament, who had been made aware of their campaign through Mr Farron.
Year six teacher from St Martin and St Mary’s School, Michael Corrie, said: “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Bright Stars project this year as it’s given the children a chance to develop a range of valuable life skills and focus on our amazing local environment.
“It has been refreshing to see the children engage with their chosen environmental campaign with such passion and enthusiasm.
“To hear the next generation say things like, ‘We know we need to make a difference for our future,’ is a testament to the hard work they have put in and fills us, as teachers, with pride.”
With the aid of The Family Business Network, the year six class have been able to raise wider awareness of their campaign through the region’s airwaves by participating in a radio interview.
Radio interview
Two pupils and a teacher from the school were interviewed about the campaign on Tuesday by Nick Hood of Lake District Radio. The interview will be played live on Lake District Radio on Monday.
Sue Howorth, founder of The Family Business Network said: “For me, it’s a lovely opportunity to give back to the local community. My own daughter attends the school and I feel that primary school is a great age to start developing certain skills and confidence that will benefit them later in education and life.”
As part of the Bright Stars programme, each school and business partnership gets to compete to win funds for their school with prizes in ten categories, including best leadership and teamworking.
This year schools were asked to present their weekly updates and a final presentation through an online portal. The Family Business Network asked video director, Sheenah Alcock to help the pupils produce a film featuring each of the ten groups and their work, for submission to the judges.
To find out more about Bright Stars can visit www.cforlp.org.uk/programmes/bright-stars, email claire.johnson@cforlp.org.uk or call 07843 684746 or 01900 824822
