How leaders of the future are created

How leaders of the future are created

Words By Sue-Ellen Lamb

Tomorrow is unknown. The pandemic has illustrated this to us in an unimaginable way. We also know that climate change cannot be ignored, and political tensions in the world hint at further unknown disruption.

Clearly, we need intelligent, resilient people to lead the way forward into a brighter future.

That starts today. Children are our future; they are our most precious resource, with sponge-like minds eager to be moulded. It is our job to teach them the skills – and, more importantly, attitudes – to give them the opportunity to fix mistakes and continue to make the world a better place.

However, the truth is, leaders are more often people from privileged backgrounds with access to opportunities enabling them to advance their skillsets and social network. In communities like Bedworth, which is in one of the top deciles for deprivation, opportunities are few and far between.

We don’t let that stop us as Race Leys Junior School. As a proud member of the Griffin Schools Trust, we have a firmly embedded belief that family income and status should not pose a barrier to learning.

In fact, the future requires a more diverse and inclusive set of leaders. So, we’re doing what we can, at Race Leys Juniors, to build the leaders of tomorrow, widen horizons, focus on high achievement and build foundations based on proud traditions.

How do we do this? First, we create an environment where children believe they can, and will, become tomorrow’s leaders.

Privately educated children may feel this already, but we believe that every child can and should be just as ambitious. To achieve this, we have embedded many initiatives to instil such aspirations.

We have introduced blazers, shirts, and ties, but taken on the burden of the cost of the uniform, to allow parents the financial freedom to support their child at home.

Likewise, we provide additional experiences traditionally requiring disposable income at home, with free private music lessons, dance lessons from the Royal Ballet, Spanish lessons for all children, and school trips, all offered free of charge.

Schools are not the only ones in control of creating future leaders. For example, parents can provide their children with cultural experiences, provide books that encourage leadership qualities, and engage children in a debate on issues.

In business, managers can mentor younger employees, helping guide them through the workplace and support them to become leaders themselves.

Ultimately, developing tomorrow’s leaders is about attitude and experience. Everyone has the ability to impart both on those who will need to lead us tomorrow.

We simply need to take the time. Because if we don’t, the world will not progress – and it desperately needs to.

Sue-Ellen Lamb is the head of Race Leys Junior School, based in Bedworth, Warwickshire. She is working to create a unique school in which a ‘private-style’ education is offered, helping foster a private school feel, but without the cost burden for the parents.