Youth Advisory Board Shape Trust Values and Strapline

The purpose of the Trust Youth Advisory Board was always to create opportunities for the ideas, opinions, knowledge and experiences of young people, in all their diversity, to inform and shape decisions about what we do now and in the future as a Trust.

It is safe to say that the Youth Advisory Board has been doing just that. They have had a hugely busy time this January and February with two special Board meetings, which were called in order to contribute to new Trust values and strapline.

The objective of these special board meetings was to amplify the voice of our pupils across all nine schools within the Trust in this important strategic piece of work.

Championed by CEO, Jan Shadick, and working with our key external partner, Brands with Values, the Youth Advisory Board have been researching and future gazing to create words and phrases that are authentic and representative and will stand the test of time.

At each meeting the children and young people have responded to the tasks at hand to present their views and ideas in articulate, considered and often creative ways.

Pupils across different year groups spoke of positivity and hope for the future and a belief that our schools are stronger as a Trust. Some young people challenged phrases and words that were presented in the meetings in a passionate but respectful way.

More work is underway to refine and develop the excellent work started by the Youth Advisory Board.

The next Youth Advisory Board will meet to discuss the Green Agenda and EDI initiatives (date tbc).