Bradford students lead new youth leadership programme

Pupils from Carlton Bolling and Laisterdyke Leadership Academy are taking part in BD100, a programme for 11–16-year-olds that aims to build leadership skills and amplify youth voices while addressing local issues.

Schools in Bradford have launched BD100 — Youth Leadership for Social Change. Pupils from Carlton Bolling and Laisterdyke Leadership Academy are taking part. The programme focuses on students aged 11 to 16 and aims to build leadership skills and amplify young voices. Ameenah Akhtar, the safeguarding and inclusion intervention lead, said she was proud of the students' involvement and highlighted the local opportunities the project provides. Key details: - Participants include pupils from Carlton Bolling and Laisterdyke Leadership Academy. - BD100 is aimed at students aged 11 to 16 and focuses on leadership and co-designing solutions. - Students identified vaping, digital footprint, and peer pressure as priorities to address. - The launch brought together councillors, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Bradford Council wardens. - The first Bradford 3 Youth Summit will take place this year, giving students the chance to question councillors and MPs on issues. Summary: The programme gives young people direct experience working with public services and aims to influence local conversations on the priorities they set. The first Bradford 3 Youth Summit will take place this year and will give students an opportunity to challenge councillors and MPs on issues.