On Tuesday 5th September we delivered an exciting induction programme to launch 85 Year 12 students into a brand new Sixth Form for North Bristol. The students at Bristol Free School experienced a full day of Future Foundations training which focused on developing leadership skills and increasing their confidence, teamwork and personal aspirations to prepare them for success over the coming two years
Over the course of the day Future Foundations’ experienced facilitators encouraged students to step up to being leaders of the school, take responsibility for their own learning and acquire the attitude needed to go beyond what is being asked of them in class. Through a series of experiential learning activities we developed student’s team work and time management skills helping them to think about their vision for sixth form and set tangible goals.
- Challenge students to make the transition from GCSE to Sixth Form work.
- Encourage them to take personal responsibility for their futures; to be proactive in their approach to their studies and to understand the future benefits of doing so.
- Help the students to understand what it means to be a leader, communicate the importance of leadership and the future leadership needs of society.
- Open students’ minds to goal setting and equip them with time management skills.
- Build the students confidence, teamwork and commitment towards their vision for the Sixth Form.
- Enable bonding between students creating a supportive culture within the Sixth Form.
- Launch the Sixth Form at Bristol Free School with a fun and interactive experience which the students will remember.
Future Foundations provided a varied programme delivered across the school site, including experiential team tasks and reflection sessions throughout to relate learning to the objectives of the day. The induction was launched with a motivational plenary themed around taking opportunities and the importance of attitude to getting the most out of Sixth Form study. Students took to their feet and carried out a blindfold ‘Driving Me’ task which challenged them to experience both leading and being led and helped to demonstrate to the students that they can direct their future, if they choose to.
Students then worked in small teams through a series of workshops themed around the value of time and importance of managing it. They selected from a number of optional Special Topics sessions focused on developing specific leadership skills and putting these into practice through group activities. After lunch and a highly energetic team building ‘Toxic Dump’ session the year 12 students then took on the FF Sixth Form Challenge, which asked them to identify an issue or opportunity within the school the wished to find and deliver a solution for over the next year. Using all the skills and learning from the days workshops participants worked together to create a project they could lead and present an elevator pitch to the rest of the group.
The programme was facilitated by an experienced team of positive, dynamic staff inspired by the firm belief that all young people are full of capability and possibility and throughout the programme there was an ethos of support, teamwork and cooperation. The programme was Course Directed by Owen with support from Future Foundations coaches Elizabeth , John Paul , Chloe and Max.
Owen
‘It was fantastic to work with such engaged, trail blazing young people setting the standards as the first Sixth Form cohort in the group of Russell Education Trust schools. Many of these students have been the eldest students in the school since joining Year 7 in 2011 and it was inspiring to see them step up and set them on a path to lead themselves and others to success in the Sixth Form. We really look forward to returning to Bristol Free School in the future to help these students and others to reach their full potential and become leaders of society.”
If you are interested in bringing Future Foundations training to your school please contact alice@future-foundations.co.uk to explore how we can help your students to reach their full potential.