Pupils from more than a dozen Copeland Schools quizzed their local MP today on how to make positive change within their communities.
13 schools across Copeland including, Moor Row Community Primary School, Gosforth Cof E Primary School and Keswick’s St Herberts are taking part in this Bright Stars Business Challenge which aims to help youngsters understand how to run an effective campaign on an area of importance to them.
The live Q&A session saw primary schools pupils across the county meet with Cumbria’s MPs to understand more about how they support their communities and lead change.
The innovative 8-week programme project-managed by the Centre for Leadership Performance is funded by local businesses passionate about nurturing the leaders of the future and getting kids excited about the world of business and enterprise.
Bright Stars partners primary schools with local companies to help pupils set up and run their own mini businesses, encouraging leadership and a culture of aspiration and enterprise. But for Bright Stars 2021 the focus is shifting from making a profit – to making a difference by creating digital marketing campaigns to champion worthwhile causes chosen by the children.
Trudy, said: “Inspiring the younger generation to effect positive change within their communities is incredibly important and for me, is what being an MP is all about. I was thrilled to join 13 of my local primary schools today to hear about their exciting plans and help guide their visions into a positive and manageable campaign to help them make the changes they want to see.
“A huge thankyou to the Centre of Leadership Performance for once again providing these types of opportunities which help to encourage and nurture creative minds, build confidence and leadership skills as well as educating that anything is possible.”
Bright Stars (now in its ninth year) introduces Cumbrian primary school children to leadership, entrepreneurship and teamwork and gets them excited about the world of business in a fun accessible way.
Children gain the opportunity to learn about key business principles like innovation, budgeting, problem solving and delivering to deadlines, while linking with core curriculum subjects such as English, maths and design & technology. It also encourages leadership, builds confidence as they showcase hidden talents and develop new skills.
For companies, Bright Stars creates on-going links with local primary schools, connects with young people and makes them aware of what the companies do, while positively impacting communities and providing development opportunities for staff who get involved.
CfLP Executive Director Sarah Glass explains: “We are hugely grateful to Cumbrian businesses and our local MPs for supporting Bright Stars and enabling children to gain the full benefits of this fantastic opportunity. CfLP believes we can all step up and show leadership, so providing children as young as 5 to make a difference and develop their leadership skills, confidence and self-belief is vital.
“Bright Stars provides young people with opportunities to be inspired, exposed to positive role models from the world of business and to build aspirations and confidence as they showcase hidden talents and see that their actions will be recognised and their voices will be heard.”
