Hollywood superstar Will Smith and his actor son Jaden Smith surprised 90 youngsters today when they dropped into an end of term celebration for the Mayor of London’s Leadership Clubs.
The Leadership clubs launched in January and aim to promote good behaviour, self-discipline and educational achievement in 10 – 14 years olds by offering them extra support to reach their full potential.
Mayor Boris Johnson invited Will and Jaden Smith to an end of term ‘achievement’ event where the kids took part in motivational workshops and interactive presentations.
The clubs are part of the Mayor’s £40 million Education and Youth Investment programme and will run in 40 schools over the next three years, helping over 1,000 young people.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “These clubs play a vital role in unlocking the potential of young people who need extra support. They work closely with schools to raise the self-esteem and aspirations of students, steering them firmly onto the right path.
“It is fantastic for students to meet Will and Jaden Smith, two very inspiring figures, as a reward for all their hard work so far this year.”
The Leadership Clubs aim to improve educational achievement through a variety of approaches: from Saturday school schemes using creativity to boost confidence, from strict regimes and group one to one support to address mental health, speech and communication needs.
All the clubs focus on literacy and numeracy to help children excel in their lessons. Adam is a year 7 pupil from Rushcroft School who takes part in the leadership clubs run by Shine.
He said “Shine is great, with my Maths Booster classes I’m making the right progress for my year group, and we do activities I never had the chance to do at primary school. I also work with people from different form groups who I normally wouldn’t get the chance to meet.”
The clubs are run by four different organisations, each using their own proven approaches within schools across London boroughs: Ark –ARK’s programme focuses 10 -14 year olds who are at risk of exclusion.
They aim to improve behaviour and academic attainment with individual mentoring, mental health and emotional support, speech and communication skills.
They will be working in ten ARK and non-ARK primary and secondary schools in Croydon, Lambeth and Southwark. City Year London - City Year will place ‘corps members’ (young adult volunteers) in East London schools to act as role models, mentors and tutors to pupils in need of additional support.
Sessions will take place in school classrooms, at lunchtimes, and through after school activities. Eastside Young Leaders Academy - ‘Eastside In-School Programme’ is a leadership programme exclusively for boys delivered in both primary and secondary schools to pupils identified by schools as 'at risk'.
The leadership programme takes place through a variety of weekly workshops and 1-2-1 sessions addressing barriers to learning; supporting and developing effective learning and behavior habits through self-discipline; and a focus on numeracy and literacy support.
Running in Newham, Barking and Dagenham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets SHINE - ‘SHINE in Secondaries’ help students at risk of underachieving address the challenges of the secondary school transition by providing Saturday morning teaching and creative learning sessions, designed to improve English and Maths.
The programme will also involve week-long courses during the summer holidays to help students get acquainted and start developing personal and study skills.
Running in Waltham Forest, Haringey and Brent Also attending the event were Kiss DJs Ricky and Melvin who took part in the motivational workshops and compered the event.
The Leadership Clubs are part of the Mayor’s Education programme developed in response to the Education Inquiry he commissioned last year. One of the recommendations is to deliver a leadership programme that focuses on improving student achievement.
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Notes to editors
1. The £1,600,000 Leadership Club scheme is aimed at pupils in schools aged 10-14 years old that are struggling at school, particularly in the transition from primary to secondary school and the first 3 years of secondary school. These young people might be misbehaving, at risk of exclusion or involvement in crime and subsequently underachieving academically. Criteria for each of the leadership clubs will be agreed in conjunction with the schools who will refer pupils directly. Pupils attend the Leadership Clubs for a minimum of two Academic terms (approx 6 months) and the maximum of an academic year.
2. The Mayor launched the Education Inquiry in November 2011, as an independent investigation into the successes and challenges for London schools. Chaired by the education commentator, former teacher and CEO of Generating Genius, Dr Tony Sewell, the inquiry consulted widely to build a comprehensive analysis of education in the capital, as well as making a number of recommendations to promote excellent teaching in all London schools; prepare young Londoners for life and work; and ensure every London child can be given a good school place.
3. The London Schools Excellence Fund is part of a £40m education and youth programme of investment to boost attainment and opportunities for young Londoners. It also includes sponsoring three academies, with new ones under development; a £10 million youth programme co-funded by the European Social Fund, which targets young people aged 14-17, to help them into education, employment and training; and a London-wide mentoring programme. In addition the Mayor is leading the London Apprenticeships Campaign to drive up the number of apprenticeships offered by employers.For more information about what the Mayor is doing to raise aspiration and attainment and improve opportunities for young Londoners go to www.london.gov.uk/priorities/young-people.