The Leadership Academy

The Leadership Academy works with targeted year 10 and 11 girls in Salford schools who are experiencing one or more of the following: negative relationships, violence (as victims or perpetrators), low aspirations and a lack of positive role models.

The Leadership Academy’s group work and 1:1 sessions aim to enable the girls to discuss these topics openly and make positive, safe and aspirational choices which shape their futures.​ A broad 16-topic curriculum has been created, and can be used flexibly with each group of girls depending on what they need support with. The topics include:

• Positive Relationships – coercive and abusive relationships, positive and negative role models, managing boundaries and family and peer relationships
• Raising Aspirations – vision boards, goal setting, inspirational stories and gender stereotypes
• Interpersonal Skills – resilience, communication, social skills, body confidence and personal finance

A significant contribution from positive female role models from the corporate world actively shapes the programme, and the women act as mentors delivering sessions in school alongside the project co-ordinator. The relationships built with the girls on the project can have an impact beyond school life and provide the girls with vital contacts for their future careers should they wish to follow in similar footsteps.