Writes Oscar W. (L6th)
On Friday, I had the pleasure of attending a Leadership Symposium hosted by Northwood College, alongside Ansh A. (L6th), Jai E. (U6th) and Brayden D. (U6th). The event was attended by students from a wide range of schools across the Northwest London area, including Harrow, RMS, St Helens and Croxley Danes.
The day began with a morning session in which students from each school were mixed to form small groups. Each group was given a scenario and asked to devise an appropriate response from the perspective of a student leader, selecting a suitable leadership style based on the situation presented. Groups were then required to present their response on stage. Some teams chose to act out their scenario, while others presented a list of ‘Do’s and Don’ts’, with all groups having to justify their decisions under questioning from the Northwood College prefects. who facilitated the workshop.
The next session involved participants being divided into three large groups, each of which was tasked with selecting an issue to be presented to the local MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, David Simmonds CBE. This led to extensive discussion within each group regarding the most effective methods of addressing their chosen issue, with particular emphasis placed on practicality and the feasibility of proposed solutions. For example, my group proposed the introduction of a mandatory community service day for all pupils in Years 7 and 8, to take place once each half term. This would involve mutually beneficial activities such as litter picking, supporting food banks and performing for residents in care homes.
Following lunch, we took part in an afternoon workshop in which we were again placed into small groups and assigned a specific topic area. We were required to identify key issues within this area and propose potential solutions, which were then discussed with the MP as he visited each table. My group’s topic area was the economy and the cost of living. We identified accommodation costs and rising fuel prices as major issues affecting young people, and proposed solutions including deregulation to support the construction of new homes, alongside increased regulation of mortgage lengths and interest rates to make home ownership more accessible.
The day concluded with a speech from the MP, who emphasised the importance of engaging with politics and exercising the right to vote from as early an age as possible in order to effect meaningful change at a local level. Overall, the symposium was highly informative and provided valuable insight into effective leadership, while also offering opportunities to engage with and build connections with other student leaders from the local area. I would like to thank to Ms Isham for providing this opportunity and accompanying us, and to Northwood College for hosting the event.
