Bedford School was once again the hub for young leaders from 11 local schools, who gathered for the annual Ready2Lead? Conference.
The enthusiastic group of 80 Y12 students put themselves forward for this inspiring young leaders’ programme, now in its fifth year, to learn leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
Along with boys from our own Sixth Form, students from Mark Rutherford School, The Bedford Sixth Form, Biddenham International School, St Thomas More School, Bedford Academy, Kempston Academy, Sharnbrook Sixth Form, Wootton Upper, Bedford Greenacre, Bedford Modern School and Bedford Girls’ School attended.
It was the students themselves, with guidance from their teachers, who worked together to create the programme to excite and inspire, as well as equipping themselves with the tools and confidence to be courageous learners, find inner confidence and a new vision to change the world around them.
Bedford School’s Jacob Foster, one of the Ready2Lead? student leaders, explained, “I completed the programme last year and everything that it pushes for is really important for young people to learn. Connecting with other people at this age and pushing to do something that is out of your comfort zone with brand new people is important as you grow up and go off to university or start working.
I hope to improve my leadership skills on this year’s programme. As a leader this year, I am a role model and someone to look up to for the delegates. I know how it works as I have been through it before and so can answer any questions and lead from the front.”
The conference started with an introduction from founder of the programme, Mr Simon Everitt. An inspirational talk from Fatima Naimi, who, during her time studying at University College London, founded the Afghan Society which become her passion project. Fatima is now pursuing her ultimate dream, which is to establish her own charitable organisation to contribute to nation building efforts in Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Students then moved into mixed school teams to reflect and discuss what they had learned from Fatima, and were encouraged to put their words into actions by creating a project to make either a local or global difference.
Refreshments and an all-important networking opportunity followed before the second keynote speaker, Luke Brown, gave another motivating talk about how he launched a Community Interest Club for Parkour. Luke’s determination to make a difference to others through his passion for sport was both admirable and inspirational.
Another breakout session then followed with student groups identifying and reflecting on ‘takeaways’ from Luke’s talk, and using these to help them shape their own approach to their projects.
Finally, the delegates were joined by young entrepreneur and Old Bedfordian Harry Beard (13-18), who inspired the group with creative solutions and ideas to tackle local issues in ways that they probably had never previously considered, before doing their own bit of creative thinking for their own brief.
After plans were created and commitments to actions made, the conference wrapped up. The next stage of the programme will take place on 8 November and is entitled ‘Ready2Change the World’, where students will be able to develop the skills needed to bring about the impact they are aiming for.
In their final session on 6 December, students will be able to share all they have achieved so far and look at how to sustain their pledges.
