Nearly 200 pupils participated in fun, challenging teamwork sessions to develop their skills on Friday, October 22, at Holsworthy Community College, as part of the Flinnstone Personal Development Program for Talented Able, Gifted and pupils.

The course was run by coaches to the successful World Cup England Rugby Squad!

This experiential student led learning was supported by two professional coaches with a background in high performance organisations.

Around 170 pupils from Years 7 to Years 11, plus 26 pupils from eight of the school's feeder primary schools, including Pyworthy; Sutcombe; Black Torrington; Highampton, Holsworthy; Bradworthy and Clawton Primary Schools, were coached in three sessions:

Session one — Years 8 and 9; Session 2 — Years 10 and 11; Session 3 — Years 6 and 7.

The feedback has been very positive from the pupils who participated, especially Years 10 and 11 whose competitive nature ensured the teamwork was very challenging and who are keen to attend the next two sessions!

All pupils will be asked to evaluate the programme as part of TAG — The Pupil Voice.

Thanks have been expressed to the TAG School Improvement Group for planning and participating in the day, plus Mrs Wade for taking lots of video and photos to share with other Devon schools!

Holsworthy Community College is proud to be selected as the Devon pilot school for the programme in 2010/ 2011, thanks to Phil Creek the Devon LA Advisor for Able, Gifted and Talented pupils.

Aim: to develop personal aspiration by exploring leadership and followership in order to give gifted young people the confidence to exceed their expectations.

Three day sessions will be held in October, February and April to cover the separate modules of: teamwork; leadership/ followership and personal aspiration.

The approach allows students to develop independent skills whilst mentoring younger students through the three separate modules.

This unique mentoring program has been designed in conjunction with SW GATE (South West Gifted and Talented Education).