Since the launch in January all schools in Walsall are slowly setting a structure in place for their Leadership Academy. 

Schools have had two training opportunities where students were able to take leadership courses in badminton, football, rugby and rounders. The students that took advantage of these opportunities thoroughly enjoyed them and have also gained some excellent new skills which can be used in primary school as well as their own secondary and any community clubs they may be volunteering in.

We have also held a social event for one representative per school across the whole Borough where students compiled a newspaper report on the Walsall Tag Rugby Finals before heading off for an evening of bowling in Bloxwich!

Most LA's are actively involved with their SSCo and / or Leadership Academy Co-ordinator and are assisting with the running of competitions all over the Partnership. 

• Thanks must go to Pool Hayes who sent four students to help run the Walsall Schools Kwik Cricket Competition on 16th and 17th June at Bloxwich and Bronze Cricket Clubs.
• Alumwell are sending their LA to Wolverhampton University Walsall Campus to assist with a Black Country Gifted and Talented training day. 
• Darlaston LA have provided leaders for the Partnership Tag Rugby Finals at St Thomas More
• Walsall College LA supported the Walsall Primary Orienteering Competition
• In addition to this most schools are using their LA to support extra-curricular sessions in primary schools as well as assisting with the officiating of family festivals such as rounders 

We expect as the programme enters it's second year it will go from strength to strength.

• The Leadership Academy Launch for 2009-2010 is on Monday 28th September at Shire Oak Secondary School. 
• Schools will be asked to provide two Young Ambassadors and three additional members of the Leadership Academy.
• Leadership Academy Co-ordinator's will be provided with information before the end of term.

Thursday 29th January 2009 saw the launch of the Walsall Leadership Academy at Forest Arts Centre in Leamore. 
(Click here to learn more about the structure of the Walsall LA.)

Every secondary school in Walsall was represented with most schools providing two Young Ambassadors and between four and six members of the Leadership Academy (making a total of between six and eight per school!)

Students were presented with their Leadership Academy kit of polo shirts for the Leadership Academy and tracksuits for the Young Ambassadors. They then participated in three 50mins sessions of Team Building & Theory, Tag Rugby and Judo. The principle idea behind these activities were to get the students to get to know each other in a fun and relaxed environment, and in the case of tag rugby, give them a taster of one of the training opportunities on offer to them this year.

At the end of the afternoon the Shire Oak LA gave a short presentation showing the impact they have already had in their school with the setting up of a Year 7/8 extra-curricular club called 'Get Fit, Have Fun' which has been running since the start of January.

Students have now completed their preference forms for the first LA training opportunity which will take place on 6th March at Willenhall School Sports College. 
Students will be informed about which course they will be on in the next couple of weeks.

If you have any questions about the Walsall Leadership Academy please email and we will get back to you immediately

(Many thanks to the deliverers on the day - Judo: Wayne McDonald, Tag Rugby:  PDM's Ian Lockett & Rob Laird, Team Building: LA co-ordinators Rachel Nickless, Saul Wallis & Philippa Napper)

Action from the Spider Web team building challenge

'Human Knot" team building challenge

Harry gives the afternoon a thumbs up!

You can't beat a game of 'sumo' to get those competitive juices flowing!

Action from the Tag Rugby taster