Celebration of Discovery Trust Young Leaders
Over the past year, Year 5 pupils in 14 schools across the Discovery Trust have been taking part in the Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award (AYLA), developing their leadership skills, learning about justice and responsibility, becoming active citizens and transforming their communities. The Trust started the AYLA programme in September 2024 and it culminated in a Trust-wide celebration in May 2025 at Leicester Cathedral.
“The children in my class have gained so much confidence since starting AYLA. They have developed fantastic teamwork skills and feel more confident to share ideas with others. It has also helped them to see that a leader isn't someone who is the loudest in the group, but someone who listens to everyone.” – KS2 Teacher
The Young Leader Celebration event was attended by all the pupils who had taken part in the AYLA. During the event, pupils gave presentations on their social action projects and the impact they had on their communities as well as hearing from Bishop Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester, and Paul Stone, Discovery Trust, CEO.
The pupils took part in a range of different social action projects whilst completing the Award, all with a focus on environmental issues. Young Leaders at one school raised awareness of the Terracycle scheme, an organisation that offers free recycling solutions for hard-to-recycle waste streams, and encouraged their community to take part.
"I learnt so much from teaching the school for the day, I can't believe we got the opportunity to do so" – KS2 pupil
Another created a Rags to Riches company and grew vegetables on their allotment to sell at the local market. The proceeds were used to fund future sustainability projects in school. And another set up a uniform swap shop allowing school uniform to be recycled and therefore reducing waste.
“The uniform swap shop has allowed many families who could not afford uniform to have access to everything they may need. It has also reduced the amount of waste uniform left at school each term. The swap shop has been much appreciated within the school community.” – KS2 Teacher
As part of the AYLA programme, the pupils also took individual action to help out at home. Some of these projects included pupils helping their neighbours with chores, making meals for their families, making bird feeders and bug hotels, donating and raising money for charities and writing to their local MP about issues.
"I'm amazed that my local MP replied to me!" KS2 pupil
The Young Leaders also took part in a range of school-based projects to help support their school community. As with the community and individual action projects, the projects were all identified by the pupils as an issue that was important to them and their school. Lots of the projects involved awareness raising on issues such as recycling, sustainability, global warming and the work of local charities. Others completed practical projects such as litter picks and tidying the school grounds.
"I really enjoyed seeing what could be done in the area and what I could actually do about it. I realised that I don't have to do anything big or be a grown up to help out."- KS2 pupil