Three Norfolk Schools Set for SkillForce Awards Ceremony

Three Norfolk junior schools that pioneered the way with the new SkillForce Junior Prince’s Award, are set to host their first ever awards ceremony on 6th July.

White Woman Lane Junior School, in Sprowston; Old Catton Junior School; and Drayton Junior School will be hosting a joint ceremony at Birkbeck Hall in Norwich.

The awards will be hosted by General the Lord Dannatt, GCB, CBE, MC, DL and will celebrate the achievements of young pupils who entered into the scheme in September last year.

The programme draws on the values and skills of ex-Forces personnel to inspire young people to achieve at school. It includes; team-building, problem solving challenges, team sports, outdoor pursuits, first aid and navigation skills, in addition to a social action project where children will work in the community to benefit others.

The award has run alongside the pupils’ studies throughout the year and rewards young people who have demonstrated significant character development, and have made a contribution to their local community

And Ashley Best-White headteacher of White Woman Lane and Old Catton Junior, believes it has been a great success so far.

She said: “We are very excited to be hosting an awards ceremony to celebrate the success of our pupils. They have thrown themselves headfirst into the new scheme, and as teachers we are certainly seeing the benefits of the programme.”

She added: “It has helped to raise confidence and resilience. The scheme is designed to gear pupils up for secondary school, and to give them the opportunity to work with children outside of their own school.”