First year pupils at Barrhead High have successfully completed the ground-breaking Gen+ leadership programme which is now set to be introduced to thousands more students across Scotland.
Gen+ aims to equip every young person in Scotland with world-class leadership capabilities and meta-skills has a potential reach of 360 schools and 290,000 young people.
The programme has been developed with one overarching ambition: to help children make better choices that can positively impact their future.
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Barrhead High headteacher Fiona Johnston said: “At Barrhead High, we have worked collaboratively with Gen+ to develop the resilience and leadership skills of our young people. Lessons were embedded in the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) curriculum to support learners to adapt and excel during ongoing change. Gen + ensured a joined-up approach to pilot ideas that are responsive to the needs of our young people.
“The focus on meta-skills and raising aspirations has had an impact across the curriculum.
"Our young people shared that their confidence, health and wellbeing and self-awareness has improved as a result of the programme.”
The Gen+ programme is designed to inspire young people to see themselves as part of a wide cohort of young leaders who support each other and their local communities and engage with global issues.
Its fundamental premise is that anyone has the potential to be a leader and that early interventions are the most positive and long lasting.
Victoria Vardy, CEO of Gen+, explained: “Our vision is to equip and inspire the next generation to have the skills and confidence to learn, lead, and thrive.
"Through six meta-skills focused modules, the programme teaches students leadership, resilience, collaboration, communication, initiative, and organisation, allowing them to reflect on and develop their capabilities.
“The test and learn pilot, which was launched last year at an event addressed by former Scottish rugby international Gavin Hastings, has been embraced by both educators and students and has been a resounding success."
While Gen+ has enterprising long-term plans, its current ambition over the next three years is to deliver the personal development and meta-skills programme to over 100 secondary schools, involving around 50,000 young people. The Peter Vardy Foundation has committed to funding the programme for its first three years.
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