Hundreds of year 12 students from nine schools and colleges across Bedford Borough are set to take part in a “unique” leadership programme designed to help them become future leaders and make an impact on the world.
The Ready2Lead? programme, run by Harpur Trust and hosted by Bedford School, will involve students from all walks of life who will work on project ideas, attend workshops, and hear from keynote speakers who will give them insights into launching and running a business.
The first workshop, held earlier this month, welcomed CEOs Sophie Stock from Fun 4 Young People and Luke Brown from Spiral Freerun CIC, who spoke to the attendees about overcoming the challenges in building organisations to help support young people in the borough.
Harry Beard, a young Bedford entrepreneur, also discussed how the world has changed and made it easier for ‘Gen Z’ to become innovative leaders.
Last year’s students from Mark Rutherford School and Sharnbrook Academy also took part as programme ambassadors, helping to guide the new year 12s into the programme.
Students from Bedford Girls’ School, Bedford Modern, Bedford School, Bedford Sixth Form, Biddenham International, Kimberley College, Mark Rutherford, Sharnbrook Academy and St Thomas More Secondary & 6th Form, then networked together before starting their projects.
Projects to meet a local need
The next event will feature young entrepreneur Krish Gupta of video production company IKREATIVE, which he founded after leaving school this summer and cofounder of the Bedford Independent, the area’s most trusted news source, Paul Hutchinson.
Lorna Godden Education Partnerships Adviser at The Harpur Trust who organised the programme said: “We are delighted to partner with Bedford School in offering Ready2Lead? to a new cohort of young people.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from experts, gain confidence, network with other schools and take part in our The Apprentice-style project.
“Students have two months to design and implement a plan, taking inspiration from the Children, Young People and their Families Plan for Bedford Borough 2022-2027, which has been written by local children and young people.
“The plan focuses on six key themes, highlighting what really matters to them, what they enjoy and are proud of, and what would make their lives better and safer.
“This year we have decided not to focus on just one of the themes but allow students to pick from any of the six themes.”
The groups will present their finished project plans and ideas at a special celebration event on 10 December at Kimberley College where they will display and talk about their projects, as well as present them to a panel to pick a winner.
The panel will include Bedford Mayor Tom Wootton, Chief Executive of Bedford Borough Council Laura Church, The Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, local MPs, councillors, school heads and other leading professionals in education and business.
Simon Everitt from Bedford School who founded Ready2lead? in 2019 added, “Over the past five years through Ready 2 Lead? we have engaged with all the borough’s sixth-form providers, bringing together young people to learn from experts from all walks of life.
“[These have included] entrepreneurs, journalists, football academy directors, crime reduction specialists [and more].
Diversity is at the heart of our vision: to enable each young person in our borough to know the unique, positive impact they can have on their world.
“We have seen many dynamic projects over the years, some of which are continuing today, having a positive effect on the local community.
“In the past projects have included tackling period poverty, providing gift boxes to children and staff at a local children’s home and a social media platform being launched which centralises information about activities available for young people in Bedford.”
To find out more visit ready2lead.co.uk.
