Lift Ryde

News and events

Our latest news and events give you an insight into life at school.

A Dame Pops By

Before the February break, we had the incredible honour of welcoming Dame Julia Cleverdon to our school. Dame Julia, who has dedicated her professional life to charities, including King Charles’ Business in the Community, toured our site, visiting lessons across year groups and meeting with students.

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Dame Julia delivered inspiring messages to our students, encouraging them to move from student voice to student power. In 2012, Dame Julia and Amanda Jordan OBE were asked by Prime Minister, David Cameron, to seek ways to increase the quality and quantity of youth social action. The report they put together led to the #IWill initiative being established. This initiative supports and empowers young people to make a positive difference within their communities.

‍Discussing the #IWill movement, Dame Julia motivated our students to not just speak, but to act. She emphasised their ability and power to shape the community around them. She also made it clear that our students can influence decisions made about issues impacting their lives with confidence and courage.

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Moved by Dame Julia’s words, our students went on to share their ideas for positive action and change in the community of Ryde and the Island as a whole. It was a meaningful opportunity for open discussion, where no idea was too far-fetched or too small.

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Dame Julia described our students as ‘articulate young people keen to shape the future of their community’ and was very impressed by their insightful, thoughtful contributions to discussion. She was also thrilled to hear about their achievements as rowers, cricketers, underwater hockey players and young politicians. Well done, all! We are very proud to have you representing us.
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Thank you to Dame Julia and Alison Eynon, Director for Leadership, Learning and Development at Lift Schools, for taking the time to journey to our Island and speak to our young people!

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