Charles and Niamh in Year 12 attended the ‘Active Leader’ course in half term and gained the nationally recognised Active Leader Award. The course is accredited by the UK’s regulatory body for sport and physical activity – CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity). They were joined by four students from the University of Reading, a partner of St Joseph’s.
As part of the four day training, Charles and Niamh helped lead and run an Xplorer orienteering morning for 40 families and a morning of fun games and activities for 20 children. In additional to their Active Leader Award they received a personal reference and certificate.
The Active Leader course develops leadership skills through fun activity, equipping individuals to become self-confident activity leaders and assistants and building sought after employability skills such as teamwork, problem solving, communication, planning, adaptability and time management. The course includes risk management, safeguarding and CPR training and involves leading practical activity sessions and organising a mini event for young people, to embed learnings.
Penny Snowden, Head of Active Leaders said: “It was a pleasure to have both Charles and Niamh on the course. They were a great credit to themselves and to St Joseph’s College, engaging well with the other participants who included year 10 and 12 students from local schools and Yr 2 students from Reading University. Our trainer said that Charles has the potential to lead very well, with decisive authority, and has the ability to get others to follow him willingly. Niamh has a tremendous amount to offer. She showed increasing self-belief throughout the course, determined willingness and demonstrated the potential to develop as a very strong leader. They both worked really well with the younger children and their families, enabling them to enjoy hours of active fun.”
Niamh and Charles have been invited to join the Active Leader team in Sonning Common, South Oxfordshire, delivering holiday activities for local families at Easter and over the summer. This is one of a number of pathways to which all trained Active Leaders are signposted after each course, helping towards employability and development of enriched CVs and personal statements.
