Pupils from Leeds West Academy have taken part in a pioneering programme to help inspire students when considering future careers.
Some 700 pupils from Leeds City Academy, Leeds East Academy and Leeds West Academy are participating in the Year 7 programme, where staff from Leeds Sixth Form College and Leeds City College host practical and academic sessions in order to raise aspirations of the pupils.
Some activities are being delivered in partnership with the Leeds United Foundation, focusing on confidence building and resilience.
The overall initiative offers a diverse range of extracurricular activities in areas such as science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), sport, digital technologies, business, art, music, dance, creative styling and food production.
The programme gives students the opportunity to walk in the shoes of a university student, as they will be invited to a graduation ceremony at the University of Leeds in June.
Rachael Booth, Principal at Leeds Sixth Form College, said:
“This pioneering programme not only enriches the lives of pupils by embedding a culture of enterprise, personal development and independent thinking, but also reflects the priorities of the Leeds City Region.
“We’re striving to foster the next generation of skilled individuals, who will play a key role in boosting the local economy in priority areas, such as STEM and digital.”
As part of the programme, school pupils attend the sessions once a week and can accrue praise stamps in recognition of their achievements leading to the final graduation next year.