A SUCCESSFUL leadership summer school which raises the aspirations of Furness primary pupils has won the backing of BBC Children in Need.

Furness Future Leaders’ Academy has had a three-year funding bid approved by BBC Children in Need and is set to become a permanent feature for young people in the area.

The flagship leadership project, created by John Woodcock, has also won grants from Francis C Scott Charitable Trust, BAE, INS, Kimberly-Clark, Cumbria Community Foundation, CGP Books, Sir John Fisher Foundation and Cumbria County Council Local Committee, to puts the academy on a steady footing as it gears up for its third year.

The academy is delivered through a host of partners and involves a three-week summer school at Furness College for 100 Year five pupils from primary schools across Furness. Its aim is to develop leadership, team-working and communication skills in talented young people, and inspire them to build a successful future for themselves.

Students have the opportunity to create and deliver a campaign on a local or global issue they feel passionately about. Groups from previous years have enjoyed raising funds for Furness Homeless Support Group and Save the Children. Other groups develop their leadership and team-working skills by organising the final celebration event for an audience of 200 guests.

They engage with people from across various industries and organisations and take part in exciting recreational activities, such as orienteering and bubble football.

Other partner organisations involved in the Future Leaders’ Academy include Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service, Barrow Local Committee, North-West Evening Mail, GSK, Oxley Developments, CanDo FM and Furness General Hospital.

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Mr Woodcoock, the Labour and Co-operative parliamentary candidate for Barrow and Furness in the June 8 general election, trained and volunteered as a teaching assistant in preparation for the project which he founded as the constituency's MP.

Mr Woodcock said: “Our children’s future is so important. I didn’t just want to talk about education as your MP, I trained as a teaching assistant and started up Furness Future Leaders’ Academy. The academy has proved to be a really effective means of giving children the skills and confidence they need to succeed in life. Skills development and education are amongst my top priorities for the area and I am delighted this project has gained the recognition it deserves.

“I would like to pay a special tribute to the many individuals and organisations involved in supporting the academy, to Centrica for its role as main sponsor during the critical set-up period and to the inspirational staff from Barrow Island Primary School, Cumbria Development Education Centre and Victoria Academy who have worked so hard to develop a unique learning experience we can all be proud of. The future will offer some amazing opportunities for our children as investment transforms this landscape, 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.”

*Other candidates contesting for the Barrow and Furness constituency seat are Loraine Birchall for the Liberal Democrats, Simon Fell for the Conservatives, Rob O'Hara for the Green Party and Alan Piper of Ukip.