Thirty pupils are celebrating after successfully completing the National Citizenship Service (NCS) programme.
Pupils have the opportunity to take part in the NCS programme, a government-led social development programme for 15-17 year olds. It aims to help young people achieve their potential and build bridges between communities. All participants are required to complete 30 hours working on a community project that benefits both young people and society.
Throughout the year, a group of pupils have undertaken social action initiatives by donating their time and energy to help the local Blackpool community. The projects they have supported include redeveloping the allotment at nearby Hawe Side Primary School by removing weeds, preparing the soil and planting vegetables.
As well as giving pupils the opportunity to participate in the NCS programme, our school offers a diverse programme of events for all pupils to grow character and to inspire charitable and social action. As part of this ongoing programme, pupils will now continue to tend the allotment at Hawe Side Primary School, with the aim of donating all of the vegetables they grow to a local soup kitchen.
As part of the NCS programme, which is delivered by training provider Inspira, the pupils also completed a residential outward-bound weekend where they forged new school friendships and developed their team building skills by completing activities such as rock climbing, abseiling and canoeing.
Dave Todd, NCS Coordinator for Inspira, recently visited the school to present the 30 Year 10 pupils with their certificates, who have successfully completed the NCS programme in a pilot scheme that saw their year group take part for the first time. Year 11 pupils will receive their certificates later in the year.
Year 10 pupil Fajer Harrak, who completed the NCS programme, said:
“The NCS experience really helped us to build stronger relationships, made us face our fears and taught us how to be resilient. It also made us proud to help other people in our community. We are really looking forward to picking our vegetables knowing that they will feed those who may be less fortunate than ourselves.”
Principal Andrew Galbraith said:
“The pupils who have completed the NCS programme are a credit to the school. I congratulate each one of them for volunteering for such a worthwhile cause that will make a real difference in our local community. It has been superb to see the pupils committing so much effort and enthusiasm to the programme, as well as displaying outstanding teamwork. They are a credit to themselves and have reflected the school’s Star value of ‘Service’ by being a responsible citizen in our community.”
PUPILS have completed their National Citizenship Service programme