A GROUP of 90 10-year-olds from primary schools across Furness have completed a pioneering summer school aimed at developing leadership, teamwork and inspiring confidence.

The three-week Furness Future Leaders’ Academy programme came to a close with a packed celebration event which was organised by the pupils.

Parents and guests joined the children and the Furness Future Leaders’ Academy team on Thursday for a farewell event at Furness College, where the scheme had been based.

Now in its second year, the scheme was the brainchild of Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock.

This year the educational lead for the scheme was Janet Dixon, the head of Barrow Island Primary School.

Mrs Dixon said: “I am honoured to have been involved in such an inspiring project with my team from Barrow Island and Cumbria Development Education Centre. The students can be justly proud of what they have achieved over the three weeks and if they can take this forward in years to come, they will have a bright future ahead of them.”

Angel Young, 10, of Church Walk CE Primary in Ulverston, said: “I have enjoyed it very much and have made some great new friends. The staff have been so supportive. Leading is about being confident to lead other people but it’s also about stepping down to be part of a team.”

Cerys Riley, 10, of Dalton St Mary CE Primary, said: “When I first came to summer school, I didn’t think it would be this much fun. It has changed the way I think about myself – I am not frightened to have a go and I know I can do more in future if I put my mind to it. I never thought I would be able to speak in front of an audience of 200 people. I just wish it could have gone on for longer.”

Korik Thompson, 10, of Greengate Junior School, Barrow, said: “By the second day I had started to make new friends. I have learnt how to recognise other people’s strengths and ideas. It was such good fun and I’d definitely recommend it to other Year Five children in future. This is the best summer school ever created.”

Mr Woodcock told the packed assembly: “Furness is standing on the threshold of incredibly exciting developments on our industrial front and local businesses are anticipating decades of prosperity which will revolve around the Successor submarine programme, the huge expansion at GSK in Ulverston and the massive and ongoing contribution made to Cumbria’s energy coast by Centrica and other organisations.

“The future will offer some amazing opportunities for our children and, by acquiring leadership and team-building skills, they will be giving themselves the best chance they can to seize those openings and shape the world of tomorrow.

“I am convinced that the children from Furness can do as well as any around the country. I am delighted to see that Barrow celebrates the importance of what has been going on here over the past three weeks and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to another successful Future Leaders’ Academy.”

Mr Woodcock had opened the event by thanking main sponsor Centrica and other organisations Barrow Local Committee, INS, Francis C Scott Charitable Trust, BAE Systems, CGP Books, the University of Cumbria, the North-West Evening Mail, Oxley Developments, GSK and the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust for their support.

He also paid tribute to academy project manager Catherine Webb and thanked Cumbria County Council local committee for its financial help, Barrow mayor Anita Husband along with borough councillors and parents for their support, and all the educators for their hard work and imagination.

Will Heald, senior public affairs manager for Centrica, said: "It was excellent to attend the celebration event and testament to the success of the academy that the whole event had been planned by the children.

"We are delighted to have supported another successful Future Leaders Academy. As a company that has been operating in the area for more than 30 years, it's fantastic to see the next generation developing the skills to power the area forward."

To build on the skills and development of these students, the Future Leaders’ Academy will be working in partnership with the new lottery-funded Inspiring Barrow project, managed through Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service, to offer a follow-on mentoring programme for all the schools that have taken part in the summer school.