The Duke of Cambridge has launching a groundbreaking new award programme run by SkillForce in his name today [March 1st 2017] to help schoolchildren build character, confidence and resilience.
The SkillForce Prince William Award is the first award scheme of its kind. Delivered by the national education charity SkillForce, it targets younger children from six-years-old as well as teenagers.
Aimed at six to 14-year-olds, the award programme draws on the expertise and skills of predominantly ex-Services personnel who work as SkillForce instructors.
Thirty-seven primary and secondary schools, involving more than 1,000 pupils, have been piloting the one-year programme since the start of this academic year.
The Duke, who is SkillForce’s Royal Patron, launched the initiative at Llanfoist Fawr Primary School in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales, today – March 1st 2017.
During the visit, The Duke took part in three of the award programme activities involving 80 pupils from three schools that are completing the pilot this academic year. The activity sessions comprised:
- A ‘tower build’ construction challenge with pupils from Bishopstone Primary School in Swindon, Wiltshire, that involved making a free-standing tower from marshmallows and straws within 10 minutes. The task tests teamwork, resilience and determination.
- A ‘hover ball’ teamwork challenge with pupils from Llanfoist Fawr Primary School in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. They were tasked with transporting a ball to safety, imagining that it was a radioactive cell. If the ball fell off the transporter, the pupils had to start the challenge again. The task tests cooperation, discipline, self control, problem solving and resilience skills.
- A ‘monster storm’ trust-based challenge with students from Caldicot School in Caldicot, Monmouthshire. The session involved students imagining they were on an overnight hike, and setting up a tent wearing blindfolds to simulate darkness. One member of the team, without a blindfold, directed the others on how to construct the tent. The task tests trust and leadership skills.
Ben Slade, Chief Executive, SkillForce, said: “We are thrilled to launch the Prince William Award, a pioneering new programme and the first of its kind, which will help children and young people build character, resilience and an inner strength for life. I want to thank The Duke for his fantastic support.”
He added: “Character attributes can be developed in children and young people, given the right mentoring. Our ex-Services personnel, who work as instructors in schools, inspire children and young people to dare to be their best selves. Developing personal skills is as valuable as academic study, given that character traits such as courage, cooperation, listening and problem solving can affect academic performance, psychological wellbeing and job success later in life.”
The Prince William Award programme covers five themes: personal development, relationships, working, community and environment, and comprises three award levels for different age groups. They are pioneer (minimum age 6), explorer (minimum age 8), and trailblazer (minimum age 12). For more information, visit www.skillforce.org.
The one-year programme will start in primary and secondary schools this September 2017, following on from the pilot that began at the beginning of this academic year. The award combines practical and reflective learning through classroom-based and outdoor activities to develop character, resilience, compassion, courage, teamwork and problem solving skills.
The scheme is suitable for all children and young people including those at risk of social exclusion. In addition to team tasks and practical challenges, pupils and students receive feedback from instructors that encourage them to reflect on their actions and experiences, and consider how they would behave differently next time.
Jon Murphy, Headteacher of Llanfoist Fawr Primary School in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, said: “We are honoured to host the launch of the Prince William Award programme which is preparing our pupils with the skills they will need to succeed in education and adult life. We have seen huge benefits from taking part in the pilot this year. Our pupils have greater self confidence, independence, problem solving and listening skills, and attendance has improved. Our pupils can barely contain their excitement at meeting Prince William and demonstrating some of the skills they have developed.”
Susan Gwyer-Roberts, Headteacher of Caldicot School in Caldicot, Monmouthshire, and a SkillForce ambassador, said: “Caldicot School has been a long standing supporter of SkillForce, and so it is incredibly exciting for us to meet Prince William. The charity’s work is transformational, and the instructors are great role models. We’ve seen students previously shy and wary of speaking up being willing to give a group talk and others who were lacking in self belief succeeding in ways they didn’t think were possible. SkillForce inspires our students to persevere and succeed, and we are proud to be part of the Prince William Award pilot this year.”
Emma Lindsay, Headteacher of Bishopstone Primary School in Bishopstone, Swindon, Wiltshire, said: “It’s an amazing, once in a lifetime, opportunity for our pupils to meet Prince William and certainly an experience that I am sure they will remember for the rest of their lives. Schools need to prepare children from a young age to thrive in a rapidly changing world and educate them on how they relate to themselves, others and their communities. That’s the great thing about the Prince William Award programme, and it’s fantastic that it is reaching primary school pupils at an early age. It teaches them key skills that, once instilled, will remain with them for life from first aid to in-depth problem solving.”
Abigail Squirrell, aged 10, from Llanfoist Fawr Primary School, said: “I was so excited about meeting Prince William. I think it’s very good that he’s involved and met the children, so he can understand how the award is helping them. I feel a lot more confident. I didn’t used to put my hand up in class to ask questions or give answers but now I am fine about speaking up and leading some of the activities.
She added: “I really like the challenges because they help you cooperate and work together as a team. We also have a check in at the start of the sessions where we get to say how we are feeling. That’s really important because if you are feeling a bit sad, then others will comfort you and show kindness. We are also asked to think about what we have learnt from the sessions and how we have put those things into practice during the week.”
James Morris, aged 10, from Llanfoist Fawr Primary School, said: “I really enjoy the SkillForce sessions. We play fun games, like hover ball, where we have to work together as a team and that’s helped me feel a lot more confident in class. The Prince William Award is a great idea and it is amazing that we got to meet him.”
Keaton Oliver, aged 12, from Caldicot School, said: “It was so exciting to meet Prince William, a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I got to shake his hand. Doing the SkillForce activities has helped me become a better person, and they are really fun. I’ve learnt how to better cope with my feelings, and express myself. I feel more confident and resilient. I am okay about speaking up in a group now whereas before I used to be a bit shy of doing that.”
Megan Connolly, aged 11, from Caldicot School, said: “It is really fun doing the SkillForce sessions and it was very exciting seeing Prince William. We do challenges where we have to work in teams and solve problems. I think the award is a good idea, it’s made me feel more confident in everyday life and lessons.
The award has been developed with education experts including the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham, and is supported by investment company Standard Life.
Character education, according to the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham, helps children and young people develop positive personal traits and strengths called virtues. It is the development of good sense or practical wisdom, and it involves knowing how to choose the right course of action.
Character education is also about helping students grasp what is ethically important in situations and knowing how to choose the right course of action in difficult situations. It grows from the experience of making choices and from ethical insight. For more information, visit http://jubileecentre.ac.uk/
Professor James Arthur, Director, Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, University of Birmingham, explained: “The Jubilee Centre at the University of Birmingham is very proud to be the academic partner for the Prince William Award. The award focuses on character and the essential virtues that help children to flourish and we expect it to become a rite of passage for all 6 to 14-year-olds.”
Sir Gerry Grimstone, Chairman of Standard Life PLC, said: “By tapping into the unique experience and skills of ex-service personnel, SkillForce is helping young people to develop and build greater resilience in life. The Prince William Award is set to transform the lives of those who take part, by allowing them to access a unique programme of coaching to help establish the values and principles that they will take forward in their future endeavours. Today’s launch by His Royal Highness is recognition of the inspiration provided to so many young people by SkillForce’s work, and we are incredibly proud to support them.”
Interim research findings from the pilot show that targeting younger primary school pupils is very popular with schools. Teachers at both primary and secondary schools, across all key stages and settings, have noticed substantial changes to behaviour, attitude and skills in particular confidence, communication and the ability to work with others.
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About SkillForce
- SkillForce is a national education charity that specialises in character and resilience, and puts heroes in schools to transform lives, empowering children and young people to make positive choices. The charity’s dual mission includes supporting ex-Services personnel and their transition into civilian life.
- The charity delivers educational programmes that develop character, self confidence, resilience, teamwork and problem solving skills. Founded in 2000 and a registered charity since 2004, SkillForce has helped more than 60,000 children and young people. The Duke of Cambridge has been the charity’s Royal Patron since 2009.
- As the home of character education and the Prince William Award, SkillForce works with more than 200 schools in England, Scotland and Wales. Based in Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, SkillForce draws on the skills of predominantly ex-Services personnel who have served their country, and now wish to serve their community, to inspire young people to succeed in the skills they need for education, work and life.
- SkillForce supported 5,174 children during the last academic year 2015/16. Of those, 31% were in receipt of free school meals and 25% had additional educational needs. There was a 45% decrease in the number of external exclusion days and a 46% decrease in the number of internal exclusion days.
- Photographs and film: Images and copy from today’s event will be available from the Press Association. SkillForce will also gather professional news images and film from the event. For interview requests, please contact Mary Hampshire on 07985 779078 or email mary@maryhampshire.com.
A transcript of The Duke’s speech is due to be published here https://www.royal.uk/speeches. If you would like to receive a copy following the event, please email mary@maryhampshire.com
Media contact
Mary Hampshire, Public Relations Consultant, SkillForce, Telephone: 07985 779078, Email: mary@maryhampshire.com
