College News

QE Relaunches Hotly Anticipated Leadership Academy

Staff and students in the Sport and Leisure department at QE have successfully relaunched their inspiring QE Leadership Academy for Year 10 pupils. The popular initiative provides students with a taste of life at QE while they complete national governing body leadership awards linked to their school studies in both badminton and rugby. Pupils coming into College spend a full day working towards the qualifications and are guided by Sport and Leisure students over two workshops which focus on the theory and running of coaching sessions and putting their newly obtained knowledge into practice through practical activities. Coaching and leadership form significant parts of the Sport and Leisure curriculum at QE and members of the department were delighted to be able to utilise their expertise to launch the Leadership Academy. Around 200 pupils from seven different schools across the local area have visited the College to take part in the scheme including students from Whitworth Park Academy in Spennymoor, Staindrop Academy and St. Francis Xavier School (SFX) in Richmond.

Katie Zissler, PE teacher at SFX, said: ‘The students really benefitted from their valuable experience at QE gaining the awards. It was also a great opportunity to look around the College and see everything it has to offer. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed the day!’ Joe Cooke, teacher of Sport and Leisure at QE, added: ‘It’s been fantastic to welcome so many pupils into QE to experience College life and leave with nationally recognised Young Leaders’ awards. Alongside staff, students have planned and delivered the leadership days as part of the Sport and Leisure course and they’ve all been able to work towards their own level 3 qualification in Sport Leadership which they will obtain as part of their studies through Sport Leaders UK’.

The qualifications attained as part of QE’s Leadership Academy are Badminton England’s Young Leader Award and England Rugby’s Level 1 Leader Award. The College is hoping to grow the scheme even further next year and any schools interested in participating in the Leadership Academy are encouraged to contact QE on 01325 461315 or email Joe Cooke at jcooke@qeliz.ac.uk.