News

Leap trained pupils are an inspiration

Thursday 26th May 2011

One of Leap’s former Pathfinder schools visited Oxford University this week to meet with the First Lady of the United States.

Students from Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language College who received Leap’s Peer Mediation training in 2010 got the chance to meet with Michelle Obama for a second time to hear her give an inspirational speech and ask questions about her life in the White House.

Obama also took the girls on a guided tour of Christ Church College to show them what could be in store after leaving school with a bit of hard work and dedication. The focus of the visit was inspiring young people to fulfil their potential in spite of the circumstance and background. Head Teacher Jo Dibb commented “Her visit reaffirmed our guiding principles that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds can, and do, achieve as highly as those from more privileged backgrounds.”

The 37 young people involved were not only inspired but inspiring acting as wonderful ambassadors for their school and showed that given the opportunity young people can contribute positively not only to their local communities but to their peers across the globe. For a report on the meeting with Michelle Obama from the pupils visit the BBC News website