The Leader Within: Recent Episodes
Bright Leaders
Bright Leaders present "The Leader Within". Here we document the trials, tribulations, challenges and successes that young people face as they follow our programmes and workshops. As we complete our work with young people, we sit down with them young people to reflect and to capture their learning and experiences.
Today the wonderful Madeleine, Oliver, Cienna and Abeel talk to us all about the challenges and successes of the leadership learning task we completed today. A simple sorting activity ended up being a big learning curve and a test of our leadership skills!
We speak to Bobby, Max, Miller, Maha and Anna and talk about our a Rock Kidz experience and the important messages in their music. We discuss our experiences through making our t-shirts, we share the ‘power sentences’ that inspire us and talk about our personal strengths. We share our thoughts about leaving our comfort zone and how we often feel once we’ve overcome a challenge.
We speak to Finley, Corey and our special guest….Suzi Halliwell, the resident artist at The Forward Centre. Today we celebrate Suzi’s 7yrs at the centre and talk about her next steps as today is her final day with us as she has plans to explore new horizons. In this emotional episode, the children get to ask Suzi about art and the work she has completed at The Forwards Centre.
We speak to Kaja, Millie, Max and Brodie and discuss the work we’ve covered as part of our Learner to Leader programme. We explore the importance of connections and working with people who we don’t usually spend time with and the work we’ve done on the importance of thinking about our future ambitions.
In today’s episode we hear from Charlie, Kinga, Destiny and Poppy as we discuss all things Learner to Leader. We speak about the different leadership activities completed over the weeks and the skills and qualities we have developed along the way. Listen out for a mention of mountains and monsters!
We speak to Corey, Gypsy and Mr Fielding, the headteacher of the Forwards Centre. We discuss our project in collaboration with Urban Outreach and explore the progress we’ve in just a week and speak to Mr Fielding about his role as a headteacher.
Today we hear from Angelin, Tegan, Logan and Harrison who tell us all about their exciting Rock Kidz experience. Not only did they have a wonderful time rocking out, they took a very important message away with them. Listen out for YASBA. Later on we discuss all things SATs revision including talk of mountains and monsters.
We speak to Maisie, Abigail, Tamer and Naeem to talk about their Rock Kidz experience and the importance of resilience and not giving up. The children then discuss their person strengths and the importance of not just knowing these strengths, but ‘owning’ them.
We speak to Corey and Andrew as we take one our first Welcome Ambassador challenge. In this episode, we welcome Dave Bagley, the CEO of Urban Outreach. We talk about the amazing work they do and start to develop our ideas of how we can develop a Forwards Centre project I partnership with Urban Outreach. This podcast is a powerful reminder of the ‘power of one’. One person, doing one thing, can have a MASSIVE impact on the world!
We speak to Corey, Gypsy and Luke and discuss our plans for our first task as Welcome Ambassadors. Next week, Dave Bagley, the CEO from Urban Outreach come to visit and we talk about how we’ll make him feel welcome and the questions we might ask. Through our discussion we also develop our ideas which further highlights the value of student voice when working in schools.
The theme of today’s podcast is Safeguarding. Kendal, Alfie, Brody and Duaa talk us through lots of ways in which they are kept safe at The Ferns Academy including measures that are in place in and around the academy building as well as school trips and online safety.
We speak to Andrew, Gypsy and Luke, the Welcome Ambassadors at the Forwards Centre. We explore the term ‘empathy’ again and link this to a theme Mr Fielding covered in a recent assembly. We touch on an idea we have to link with Urban Outreach, a local charity that works with the vulnerable people in the area. This may also lead to our first ever guest on the podcast…fingers crossed!!
We speak to Ruby, Armaan, Henry, Grace and Kianna to discuss leadership and the skills and qualities that are require us to be a great leaders. We talk about the importance of connection, honesty and teamwork and how we can link this to wellbeing to support each through difficult situations.
We speak to Hareem, Jenna, Hazel and Oliver and discuss the work we’ve covered today. We share our thoughts on the session we had with Rock Kidz and what YASBA means. We then explore the importance of teamwork following our ‘Floor is Lava’ activity
We speak to Ariyana, Jasmine and Edward about skills and personal attributes that we’ll look to take with us on our leadership journey together. We talk about the power of ‘championing’ and the team building activity we completed with he sticks and clay.
Episode 6: Today we hear from Keira, Brody and Alfie as we discuss the Theme of the Term at the Ferns Academy. We talk about the importance of manners and respect and how these can positively impact our own lives and the lives of others.
Today, we speak to Andrew, Gypsy and Luke and introduce their roles as ‘Welcome Ambassadors’ and we explore the skills, personal attribute s and qualities they’ll need to show in this role. We discuss the importance of kindness, acceptance and empathy as we look to make people feel welcome when visiting this great school.
Episode 2:We speak to Tanvi, Hejan, Grace, Hope and Annabelleand discuss the skills and personal attributes that we take with us through the journey of life. We discuss the ACTing Habit and how we can use this to pause and make better leadership decisions. We cover empathy, awareness and team work and more!
Episode 3: We speak to Olly, Lacey, Kiki and Alice and talk about our learning today. We discuss our learning zones in relation to performance and pressure, and how moving through these zones can affect our happiness and the things we can achieve. We also discuss the leadership skills developed through the activities completed and how these skills can help us in day to day life.
Episode 5 welcomes School Council members Karter and Theo as we discuss the importance of communication - in particular our listening skills. We reflect on our leadership activity and talk about the importance of inclusion.
In today’s episode we hear from Harry, Tamara, David and Casey as they tell us all about the leadership learning activities they completed in the morning. We discuss the importance of communication, especially listening, in ensuring effective team work. We also discuss the varying zones of comfort and in which zone optimal learning takes place.
Today we chat to Karter, Keira, Brody and Usman about their fantastic experience with Rock Kidz UK and the important message they left us with - YASBA. Listen carefully for a special appearance from the Rock Kidz themselves!
We speak to Mia, Ibby and Melody to discuss some of the things we covered on day 1 of our Learner to Leader course. We explored the fact that we are ALL leaders and how we need to take responsibility for ourselves. We discussed some key skills required when working with others and how we sometimes need to look after ourselves before we focus on others.
Episode 3: Today we hear from Alfie, Piper, and Karter as we discuss all things ‘acts of kindness’ and how these acts can have a chain reaction and quickly spread joy throughout schools, communities and beyond.
In episode 2 we hear from some of the younger members of school council including Evan & Duaa from Year 2, and Kendall & Qasim from Year 1. We talk about the importance of the school council getting to know each other in order for them to work effectively as a team.
We speak to Scarlett, Ruhmaa, Safa and Frances today in our final episode of the Learner to Leader podcast. This was a particularly exciting day for everyone at All Saints as we had the legendary Rock Kidz in school for the day sending out positive messages to the children. We reflect on our entire journey through the programme and celebrate all of the leadership skills we have developed along the way.
Episode 1: Today we hear from four members of the School Council including Theo Y4, Karter Y4, Piper Y3 and Ruby Y5. We discuss some of the necessary leadership skills required for the role of school councillor, as well as some of the roles and responsibilities involved with the job. Listen out for some birthday wishes at the end!
We speak to Alfie, Benedict, Samuel and Zach and discuss what ‘vison’ is and we explore the things we want to aim for in the future. We talk about why we need to ‘think big and act small’, and we share the things that matter to us and the area of our lives that are important.
In today’s episode we hear from Abdalla, Owais T, Bisma and Zara who are fresh from an outdoor leadership challenge. We discuss the importance of teamwork, patience and cooperation in executing the guttering and tennis ball challenge. We also consider the negative impact arguing can have on a team, and we think about positive alternatives.
Today’s episode features Ava, Chael, Finley and Ava-Maria who get down to the nitty gritty of some important leadership skills. Amongst other things, we discuss the importance of communication, resilience, and teamwork and how these skills can help us during leadership challenges as well as in real life situations.
Today we hear from Olivia, Maryam, Owais and Rehan as they explore even more important leadership skills including trust, respect and the art of delegation. We reflect upon the challenges and triumphs from today’s leadership challenge and celebrate the progress we are making as young leaders.
Episode 1:We speak to Mollie, Troy, Yousuf, Gracie and Logan to discuss the themes we’ve been exploring in our first session together. This is day one of our Learner to Leader programme and in this episode we explore the transition that the children have made in how they perceive themselves. We talk about ‘little ACTs of leadership’ and discuss how the ACTing habit can help us make better decisions for taking action.
Episode 1: Today we speak to Michaela, Larenzo, Liam and Nicole about the leadership challenges we face on a day to day basis, and why these skills are so important for our leadership development. We also discuss the comfort zone and how taking small risks on a regular basis can help to stretch our comfort zone and improve our confidence levels.
Episode 2:In todays episode we speak to Azhan, Khadeeja, Rumaiza and Rehman about the challenges presented to them in our daily leadership activity. The children talk about honesty, teamwork, patience and resilience amongst other necessary skills.
Episode 1:We speak to Edafe, Sienna and Alfie to discuss some of the things we covered on day 1 of our Learner to Leader course. We explored how it feels when speaking in front of an audience and discuss some of the things we worry about when presenting to others. We cover some of the skills we need to be a great leader of ourselves and then lead other people.
We speak to Aleeza, Yakyha, Adam and Magdalena today about the range of leadership skills we believe are the most important within our school setting. We also touch on what it means to move between the comfort, stretch and panic zones and which zone is optimal for learning.
Episode 5: In this episode we conclude our summer club podcast by discussing how the young people have changed over the five. The young people share what they were like when they started the programme, how they feel now and how they’ll use their knowledge and skills in the future when they start their new journeys in Yr7.
Episode 4: In this episode, we explore a definition of leadership and talk about the skills required to be a leader. The young people prioritise the skills they feel are most important for leadership and the reasons why they feel these skills are important.
Episode 3: In this episode, we talk about ‘awareness’, and how taking time to stop to pay attention to to the things that are going on around us can help us notice the way we are are feeling and how this can develop the skill of empathy. We liken ourselves to an iceberg where only a small proportion is visible to the outside world, and how our deeper emotions and personality traits can often be unknown to both ourselves and others until we begin to raise our awareness. We explore how we learn and grow more when in safe and supportive environments.
Episode 2: In this episode, we discuss the skills and strengths we see in each other and how it feels when others recognise these skills in us and share that with us. We also explore the Comfort Zone, Stretch Zone and Panic Zone and how these zones affect us in day to day life.
Episode 1: In this episode we talk about the skills required for leaders and how our hobbies, interests and experiences actually develop key skills that we need in life. We explored the strengths we saw in one participant when he stood up and presented to others and challenges faced through positive self talk.
Episode 10: We speak to Sophie, Keaton and Mrs Scott in our final episode for the year. We review the Play Leader programme and discuss what we enjoyed and what we might do next year to make things even better!
Episode 9: We speak to record numbers in our penultimate podcast with St Peter’s. We have Lucas and Kristen from Yr5, and Mrs Ince, Miss McNamara and Mrs Worthington. We hear the about the impact the Yr5 Play Leaders are making from a staff perspective and how the Play Leader programme is developing real life superpowers.
Episode 4: We speak to Emily, Ysabel and Sophie and talk about the importance of leaving your comfort zone to learn and develop. We talk about communication and the challenges we faced during our learning today when being required to speaking and read in front of others.
Episode 5: We speak to Sophia, Libby, George and Mia and talk about the skills developed during our time together. We discuss time management, risk taking, loyalty, teamwork and more and how these skills are important in school and in every day life.
Episode 3: We speak to Ole, Gracie and Archie about our team building challenges and how communication plays an important role in the work we do as leaders. We discuss how our positive body language can make others feel better and discuss the skills and strengths of our ‘leader heroes’!
Episode 2: We speak to Mahnoor, Karl and April as discuss some of the activities covered today. We discuss leadership and time management and the importance of understanding what we are good at. We discuss how hard it can be to talk about the things we’re good at and how we can ‘champion’ each other to support and encourage the people around us
Episode 1: We speak to Ava, Jayden and Ben to discuss the theme of ‘leadership’ and the work we have completed in our first session. We discuss the importance of becoming a leader in making decisions every day and why taking risks to leave your comfort zone can develop your confidence.
We speak to Jaden, Ben and Colby about the Play leader journey so far. Jaden and Ben explain the skills they've been working on to become a play leader and how these skills will help them in other areas of their life. Colby joins us to share how the current Play Leaders have inspired him to want to become a play leader next year.
We speak to Millie, Sophie and Mason as we discuss the reason why they applied to become a Play Leader and we delve into their learnings, impact and whether they would recommend this role to future Yr5s next year.
Episode 6: We speak to Jacob, Bobby and Ocean and we see how the first week of play leadership with the Reception, Yr1 and Y2 children has gone. We also talk about why clear rules are important and how we can get frustrated if the rules and boundaries are not explained well.
Episode 5: We speak to Olivia, Lola and Alfie about how Reception, Yr1 and Yr2 play differently to the older children and we discuss why trust is an important part of leadership and their role as play leaders. Alfie makes Chris feel old as we talk about some ‘old school’ playground games!
Episode 4: We speak to Holly, Keaton and Lacey to discuss Duck Duck Goose, Black Shoe Black Shoe and Stuck in the Mud. We explored how we can amend the rules in a game to keep things interesting, the importance of safe play and the use of demonstration as a tool to improve communication. We also wished Holly a Happy Birthday!
Episode 3: We speak to Lorelai, Ruby and Sophie and talk about importance of play leaders, the ‘Up, Down, Left, Right’ game and the importance of enthusiasm when leading playtime activities. We talk about things we can do to encourage turn taking and how to play ‘Pac-Man Tig’. The big question we’ll need to address soon is…. ‘What will we do if all our play leaders want to work with Reception? What about Yr1 and Yr2?’
We speak to Dakota, Milo and Olivia and explore the expectations of our Play Leaders, what we can learn from role models and why they chose to name the Play Leader groups ‘The Tigers’ and ‘The Panthers’. We also touch on how we work together to make the school and wider community great!
We speak to Aleasha, Ben and Ocean and discuss the reasons why they applied to become Play Leaders and the skills they have which will help them in this role. We explore how they overcome their fears to during the interview process and the importance of kindness and need to be a great role model to others.