Eastside Young Leaders' Academy

Eastside Young Leaders’ Academy (EYLA) is a valued partner of CLS whose work enables young people with leadership potential to embrace and develop their leadership skills through a structured programme of Saturday morning enrichment and learning opportunities.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, CLS staff have provided a wide range of virtual sessions for ELYA students in response to the need for high quality, enriching and ongoing learning during the period of school closure. Sessions range from an Introduction to Philosophy to sessions on Biology, Politics, Maths, History, Art, and Leadership which challenge EYLA students to reflect and explore new areas of learning. Pupils also contribute to the programme.

We are now delighted to be able to provide our facilities for the EYLA Saturday programme. This enables 180+ students to visit CLS every week. CLS teachers continue to lead sessions in a wide range of subjects.

Aims

At CLS we seek to nurture a deep-seated sense of social responsibility. Our pupils know that there are others less fortunate than they are and strive to make a positive difference at school and beyond.

Key elements of the Strategic Vision 2019-2024 are: 'Through partnership and opportunities for voluntary service and charity work, our pupils will understand the responsibilities they have to society. We will seek to embed within them a commitment to service, and an understanding that they can make a difference, right now.' and 'We benefit from our iconic location, and our community is enriched by pupils from all parts of London. We will harness these assets to shape the educational experience for all our pupils. At a time when society is seemingly becoming more insular and polarised, we will strive to ensure our pupils are cosmopolitan and outward-looking.'

Background

EYLA exists to nurture and develop the leadership potential, health and well-being of children and young people, especially BAMEs, empowering them to become the next generation of successful leaders.

Many paths in life are determined by the influence and inspiration of the learning environment. EYLA is such a place. They have created a zone of magical realism, channelling energy and ambition into productive pursuits unlocking the true potential in each young person. They work with partners and parents to motivate and encourage students to go beyond their personal best. They run workshops and seminars utilising our own unique, bespoke leadership curriculum, built on seven core competencies.

Resources

A wide range of teaching staff contribute to the programme.

Our facilities are used on a weekly basis for Saturday workshops.

Impact

EYLA have been effusive in their praise for the collaboration, with Ms Collard, the Co-founder & Chief of Staff, commenting:

“We are very excited to be working in partnership with City of London School as we share a vision of developing young people who are comfortable in their own skin, empathetic and outward-looking and a commitment to preparing them for adulthood in this rapidly changing 21st century.

'We are grateful to the team of teachers who have volunteered their time on Saturdays to contribute to our leadership programme through dynamic, inspiring and thought-provoking online lessons. We are looking forward to transferring our Saturday leadership programme to City of London School in 2021 (Covid-restrictions permitting) where are young leaders will enjoy the benefits of learning in such an iconic location – in the shadow of St. Paul’s, overlooking the Thames, next to the Millennium Bridge, opposite the Tate Modern!'