LEAP

In 2005 GLE oneLondon was the principal supporter of the 2005 Leap Learning Festival. Co-ordinated by London South Bank University, the LEAP Learning Festival is part of its extensive and well-established community outreach programme, which seeks to raise aspirations for learning and education within London’s inner-city communities.

Seven hundred pupils from London's inner-city schools uncovered the exciting career and education possibilities available on their doorstep at the second LEAP Learning Festival on 12th July 2005.

GLE oneLondon and London South Bank University teamed up with more than 20 major companies, community and arts groups for a day of inspiration and creative, hands-on workshops up and down the River Thames. Pupils investigated a “crime scene”, produced a play at the Old Vic, tried a case in a law court, made a documentary at ITV’s studios, and took a new look at tourism from the London Eye.

Chair of the festival steering group was GLE oneLondon’s Peter Thackwray. “The festival is certainly fun,” says Peter, “but it has a very serious purpose. Some young people lack role models and vision about what they can achieve. At the LEAP festival, they engage with employers, students and university staff, building their confidence that a job in engineering, law or the media is achievable for them.”

In the run up to the day, the Sunday Times backed a LEAP journalism competition, asking young people to imagine London life in the year 2030. The winning entry, chosen by a panel that included Polly Toynbee of the Guardian and Kathleen Herron of the Sunday Times, described the re-election of the “Tesco Democratic Labour Party” under leader Euan Blair, trouncing the “Morrison Conservatives”.

The Festival is part of an ongoing wider community outreach programme, run by LSBU, to raise the education aspirations and career horizons of young people. And, once a year, university staff and students bring their mentees and other young people together for a fun-packed festival of learning. “What we didn’t want was dull theory – we want to inspire an excitement for learning,” said Anna Paczuska of LSBU.

The Festival culminated in a ceremony featuring ITN newsreader Trevor MacDonald and paralympic champion Ade Adepitan presenting awards to recognise the year-long efforts of students, and for corporate and community volunteers who had made a significant contribution.

For more information about the LEAP programme, click here

For more information about GLE oneLondon's involvement in this festival, contact Peter Thackwray on peter.t@gle.co.uk