Unlocking Potential: The Impact of the Engage Programme
A delightful round-up of Lansdowne students experience with spiral
Meet Devante, Biagio, and Andre, three dynamic year 10 students immersed in a transformative journey of self-discovery and skill development. This is the essence of the Engage programme at Lansdowne School, a SEND specialist school, where young minds are nurtured and futures are shaped. Join us as we delve into the heart of this programme, exploring its impact and significance.
The Engage programme, designed by Spiral Skills, aims to empower young individuals with the skills and confidence needed to successfully navigate the transition from education to employment and thrive academically and professionally. Funded by Lambeth Made, the programme addresses the pressing challenges of equipping students with essential soft skills in an ever-evolving job market.
Spanning 10 weeks, Engage comprises weekly sessions tailored to cultivate essential skills such as communication, leadership, and teamwork while addressing the challenges young individuals face in the education-to-employment space.
Through engaging activities like our Hospitality and Building Bridges workshops, students partake in real-world scenarios, fostering experiential learning and practical skill application. In collaboration with Eat Club, students also embarked on a three-day Work Experience (WEX) at Brockwell Greenhouses, honing their culinary skills and exploring career opportunities in hospitality.
“My favourite was to help out in the kitchen and to be really significant at times”
The Hospitality workshop emerges as a highlight, offering students a taste of the bustling hospitality industry through immersive role-play and learning valuable lessons in teamwork and customer service. Witnessing the students' enthusiasm and dedication as they embody restaurant roles underscores the workshop's success. Similarly, the Building Bridges session fosters teamwork and problem-solving, igniting a spirit of collaboration, resilience and determination among participants.
“ My favourite part was that we got to eat and to chop stuff in the kitchen”
The students enjoyed working in a professional kitchen, following strict hygiene and safety procedures. They learnt chopping and slicing techniques, folding and whisking by hand and machine. They had to be precise with their weighing and measuring of ingredients to ensure the recipe came out perfectly, and they were able to express their creative side while decorating the dessert and plating it up for service.
“Had a great time at the Brockwell Park Greenhouses, and we can’t wait to cook up more sessions together with @spiralskills!”
Through qualitative feedback and testimonials, we've witnessed the profound impact of the Engage programme on our participants. Devante, Biagio, and Andre exemplify the transformative journey of personal growth and self-discovery.
Devante’s Journey
Devante's journey epitomises the programme's impact, with newfound confidence and enhanced social skills propelling him towards future success.
Devante enjoyed the programme, with his favourite activity being the Hospitality workshop, when the students played role-play, acting out the roles of working in a restaurant. He found he developed confidence when speaking with people and broader social skills.
“My favourite part was going to work experience and working as a chef ”
The experience will support his future as he develops his communication skills, and he now has more belief in his ability to interact with people. Being a part of programmes like Engage is important to Devante and his peers "because not all kids have the opportunity to socialise, and this helps equip them with the skills they need". Some essential skills we help young people hone include developing a growth mindset, communicating confidently, problem-solving and decision-making.
Devante felt the programme was a great experience and would recommend it to a friend. It "is a great way to boost confidence and communication skills"!
“The group really learned how to have fun whilst simultaneously learning important life skills.”
Biagio’s Journey
Biagio's transformation from disengagement to active participation reflects the programme's ability to unlock hidden potential through tailored support and encouragement. A young person who initially struggled to engage with the programme. In the beginning, Biagio approached sessions with a sense of disinterest and seemed hesitant to engage in activities.
The programme leaders built rapport with him and encouraged him to engage more and more each session. Biagio became one of his cohort's most engaged young people as the programme progressed. He actively participated in group discussions, volunteered to go first in activities, and got stuck in all the tasks. The programme helped Biagio transition from being a disengaged young person to being a proactive and passionate young learner.
“The full experience of the different roles of jobs in hospitality. I got to gain skills and qualities”
Andre’s Journey
Andre's consistent engagement across diverse activities highlights the programme's adaptability and effectiveness in nurturing holistic skill development. Andre thrived on the programme and remained consistently engaged in each session from the start. The content for each session changed each week, yet he was happy to adapt to get every task done, even if it was slightly out of his comfort zone. Whether exercising his confident acting skills in front of his classmates or being more reflective in self-awareness activities, he was always more than willing to participate and give feedback on his learning.
As we reflect on the programme's success, we recognise the importance of adaptability and inclusivity in engaging students with diverse learning styles. Incorporating practical, hands-on activities fostered a dynamic learning environment where every student could thrive and unleash their potential. Lead facilitator Angie emphasises the transformative journey undertaken by students who went from shy individuals to bold and confident learners.
“The programme went extremely well. It was amazing to see their growth in the space of 8 weeks. They started off as a shy group with many unwilling to participate in activities due to this. However, their confidence flourished as the course of the programme continued and we finished the programme with a group of proactive, engaged and confident young people!”
The Engage programme at Lansdowne School offers valuable opportunities for young individuals to develop their potential. Through experiential learning, tailored support, and collaborative partnerships, it unlocks the potential within each student, paving the way for a future filled with promise and possibility. As we celebrate the achievements and growth of Devante, Biagio, Andre, and countless others, let us reaffirm our commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders and changemakers. We can shape a brighter tomorrow, one student at a time.
The Engage Programme is a valuable resource for schools and communities looking to support young people in building soft skills that will serve them well in the future. If you are interested in running a programme, reach out to our Director of Programmes or learn more here: https://www.spiralskills.co.uk/services