Part of the Etc.
A team of unemployed young people have surprised even themselves as they put their untapped teaching skills to the test.
Invited to deliver a series of fun fitness sessions to schoolchildren at Norton Primary Academy, the visitors proved a big hit with even the tiniest pupils.
“It’s no easy task,” said the school’s Learning Mentor, Liam Corby, who was impressed with the young people’s efforts and enthusiasm.
The group soon had the youngsters, more than 150 over the course of the week, on their marks and ready to try new games.
Taking part in the Prince’s Trust Billingham Team programme, the school project was just one of a host of tasks and challenges the young people will be set as they work on their employability skills.
The 12-week personal development programme, delivered by Stockton Riverside College, aims to give young unemployed people aged 16 to 25 the skills to help make a return to training, work or education.
Quick to admit the school challenge seemed a daunting prospect, Prince’s Trust student Ryan Watt, 18, from Hartlepool, said: “I’m not used to being around kids, but it wasn’t what I expected at all. The children seemed to really enjoy it and it turned out to be good fun.”
Alex Madden, 19, from Billingham, added: “I’ve never done anything like this before but it has been a really good experience.”
Giving him more confidence and an insight into a career he hadn’t previously considered, he said: “It has been fun and it’s not as hard as it looks.”
School Learning Mentor, Liam, said: “As a school we have done a lot of work with The Prince’s Trust Team programme and what we have found is that they give us back far more than we can give them.
“This group has been outstanding and we have been really impressed with every single one.
“Over the course of the week we have seen their confidence grow and the children have loved them.”
Stockton Riverside College delivers the Prince’s Trust Team programme at locations across Teesside and the wider region. For details visit: www.stockton.ac.uk/princes-trust/ or call 01642 865 566.
Invited to deliver a series of fun fitness sessions to schoolchildren at Norton Primary Academy, the visitors proved a big hit with even the tiniest pupils.
“It’s no easy task,” said the school’s Learning Mentor, Liam Corby, who was impressed with the young people’s efforts and enthusiasm.
The group soon had the youngsters, more than 150 over the course of the week, on their marks and ready to try new games.Taking part in the Prince’s Trust Billingham Team programme, the school project was just one of a host of tasks and challenges the young people will be set as they work on their employability skills.
The 12-week personal development programme, delivered by Stockton Riverside College, aims to give young unemployed people aged 16 to 25 the skills to help make a return to training, work or education.
Quick to admit the school challenge seemed a daunting prospect, Prince’s Trust student Ryan Watt, 18, from Hartlepool, said: “I’m not used to being around kids, but it wasn’t what I expected at all. The children seemed to really enjoy it and it turned out to be good fun.”
Alex Madden, 19, from Billingham, added: “I’ve never done anything like this before but it has been a really good experience.”
Giving him more confidence and an insight into a career he hadn’t previously considered, he said: “It has been fun and it’s not as hard as it looks.”
School Learning Mentor, Liam, said: “As a school we have done a lot of work with The Prince’s Trust Team programme and what we have found is that they give us back far more than we can give them.
“This group has been outstanding and we have been really impressed with every single one.
“Over the course of the week we have seen their confidence grow and the children have loved them.”
Stockton Riverside College delivers the Prince’s Trust Team programme at locations across Teesside and the wider region. For details visit: www.stockton.ac.uk/princes-trust/ or call 01642 865 566.
