A CAMPAIGN to champion the importance of extra curricular development has been backed by the Ledbury MP.
Bill Wiggin joined more than 100 headteachers in Parliament to celebrate the success of National Citizen Service (NCS) which, since launching in 2011, has become the fastest growing youth programme in a century.
The event was hosted by the speaker of the House of Commons MP John Bercow who thanked the headteachers who had supported the scheme since its launch.
The drive aims to recognise the need for students to emerge from education ready for the world of work and ‘real world’ situations.
The NCS brings young people from a range of backgrounds together to face outdoor challenges, learn skills for life and work and make their mark on their community, helping them to become more confident, capable, connected and compassionate.
An evaluation showed nine out of ten participants felt they had learnt important skills for the future and three quarters felt more confident about getting a job.
As well as this, the results proved they had had an impact on the resilience, character and wellbeing of the young people who took part.
The report also showed significant increases in young people’s ability to stay calm when facing problems, confidence in making decisions and how the programme had helped to cut anxiety levels among young people.
Bill Wiggin said to date more than 130,000 people between 15 and 17-years-old had participated in the NCS programme including many from north Herefordshire.
“I will continue to support the NCS and their work with young people in North Herefordshire and elsewhere,” he added.
Michael Lynas, CEO of the NCS Trust, said: “Many great school leaders have embraced NCS as part of school life – and we want to make this the norm.
“The ability to work with others, speak in public and lead teams should not be seen as soft skills – rather they are essential skills for teens who want to get ahead.”
The programme runs in spring, summer and autumn and costs £50 or less to take part.
E-mail [email protected] or visit NCSYES.co.uk for more information.
