HEAD TEACHERS & SCHOOL STAFF
Julie Cheung
Brownlow Fold
At Brownlow Fold, leadership development is not an optional extra it is central to how we improve outcomes for our children and strengthen our community. Our context means that many of our pupils benefit hugely from opportunities to build confidence, develop responsibility, and see themselves as capable leaders. Bright Leaders has played a significant role in helping us achieve this.
The programme has had a strong impact on pupil leadership development, giving children meaningful opportunities to build confidence, communication skills and resilience. Leadership at Brownlow Fold is not tokenistic; pupils are supported to plan, reflect, problem-solve and take ownership. For many of our children, this has been genuinely transformational in building self-belief and aspiration.
The collaborative work between school councils across schools has also been a key strength. It has broadened pupils’ horizons and helped them understand the value of teamwork, democracy and shared responsibility. Working with other schools has encouraged our children to listen, contribute and recognise that their voice matters beyond their own setting.
Projects such as podcasting have further strengthened pupil voice and oracy. Children have developed confidence in expressing their ideas, improved digital skills, and engaged with real audiences in a purposeful way. These opportunities are especially powerful in a school like ours, where ensuring pupils feel heard, valued and empowered is vital.
Bright Leaders has also supported our work with parents and families, helping to build stronger relationships between school and home. In our community, this partnership is essential, and the programme has helped create trust, connection and shared purpose.
Overall, Bright Leaders has strengthened our leadership culture, empowered our pupils, connected schools and supported families. For Brownlow Fold, the impact has been significant, meaningful and long-lasting.
Simon Whittaker
Cherry Tree
At Cheery Tree we had some classes and year groups who lacked independence and confidence in their own ability and leadership. We also had some children who we knew would benefit from some mentoring and pastoral support.
Deciding to work with Bright Leaders wasn’t a difficult choice, we had seen their work at the Farnworth Combined and #FarnworthMatters events and knew the work would be high quality.
Since working with Bright Leaders we have had many children develop their confidence and leadership skills. The School Council have also hugely benefited from the support given to coordinate their projects and increase their impact throughout school.
Some of the main benefits of their work in our school is improved impact of the School Council throughout school, increased pastoral / mentoring support for pupils and increased confidence of children through the Learner to Leader program.
The communication has been excellent. Our designated Bright Leaders Coach has worked with a variety of classes and tailored her approach to meet their varying strengths and needs. She has been proactive in organising lunchtime activities to provide pastoral support to children.
The most meaningful change from their work has been the increased confidence in some of the children through their work as part of the School Council and through the Learner to Leader program.
I would recommend all elements of the service we have received as they have enabled us to provide support to a large number of children throughout school and impact upon their confidence, leadership and well-being.
Jackie Fitton
Kearsley West
At Kearsley West, some of our community struggled with anxiety and attendance. Certain children struggled coming in to school in the morning, they found leaving their parents difficult.
Bright Leaders has really got involved with individual children. They have built relationships and dug into what the real problems are, rather than delivering a generic programme to the masses. I feel that our children and families have been listened to and there is real investment into making things better for them.
One of the most meaningful changes we’ve seen in our school as a result of Bright Leader’s programme is how those families have definitely been highly supported. They have had regular phone calls, meetings and drop-ins which has helped a lot.
The main benefits we have experienced through Bright Leaders is having the same person attend the school all of the time, and the effort put into building relationships. We’ve also really appreciated the feedback from the work completed with identified pupils. There has been clear communication, effective feedback and obvious commitment throughout our work together.
I would definitely recommend to other schools to work with Bright Leaders. The impact in our school is very clear and the way Bright Leaders becomes part of the school structure only increases their effectiveness.
Andy Done
Masefield
Bright Leaders has brought pupil leadership to life at Masefield! The 'Learner to Leader' programme has inspired pupils to grow in confidence and build resilience in themselves. It has given every pupil a voice and allowed everyone to challenge themselves to reach for the impossible!
We are so proud of every pupil who has completed the programme; we can see the impact every day at Masefield both socially and academically.
Rhian Driver
Red Lane
We absolutely love and value our work with Bright Leaders as it echoes everything we are about as a school and believe about our children. Their passion for supporting the children in our school is boundless.
Bright Leaders are dedicated advocates for the empowerment and development of young people. The passion for supporting young people shines through in everything they offer at Bright Leaders.
Through the direct work in school, our school council has been reignited, and we now have a proactive pupil body who are making real change in our school. The Learner to Leader programme is engaging, inspiring and empowers our children to believe they can become the person they want to be and shape the future they want.
We are delighted to continue our partnership with Bright Leaders.
Ceri Jones
Whitefield
Before Bright Leaders, our children struggled with confidence, particularly speaking in front of others and to big audiences.
I find that Bright Leaders focuses on the child-led approach and encourages ALL children to become independent, critical thinkers. Our Bright Leaders sessions have encouraged our children to think harder about how they can problem solve and have a small, positive impact on our world and environment. Chris has consistently been kind, inclusive and innovative. He has become a huge part of our Whitefield family.
Since working with Bright Leaders I have noticed that all of our children's confidence has improved. They recognise that they are all LEADERS and can make a difference. Their public speaking has improved and we have watched their confidence grow with each session. They have become more independent and are using their initiative much more often.
The three main benefits I, our staff, and our pupils have experienced through Bright Leaders is 1) Confidence 2) Increased responsibility and 3) Increased independence and use of initiative.
The process working with Bright Leaders has been excellent, excellent communication and flexibility - which is always necessary in a school environment! Chris will focus on anything we would like and picks up on relevant issues in our setting.
The most ezciting and meaningful change we've seen is the children's confidence and understanding of leadership
Abi Fielden
St Thomas Halliwell
Bright Leaders has been an outstanding addition to our enrichment and pastoral provision. Their work goes far beyond delivering a programme - it genuinely transforms pupils into confident, courageous young leaders who understand the power of positive influence.
Laura has been a fantastic addition to our school community. She comes into school and immediately brightens everyone’s day with her high energy, warm smile and unwavering positivity. During her time with us, she has had a significant impact on individuals, small groups and whole classes, inspiring pupils to lead change, develop resilience and recognise their own leadership potential.
Through carefully planned sessions and engaging whole-class lessons, Laura has helped pupils understand that leadership starts within and that their actions can create meaningful ripples of change across the school and wider community. We have seen pupils grow in confidence, take greater ownership of their roles and step forward as positive role models for others.
I cannot recommend Bright Leaders highly enough. Their work truly empowers young people and helps schools build a culture where leadership flourishes at every level.
Fearghal Smith
Thornleigh
At Thornleigh, originally we started working with Bright Leaders when Chris delivered some leadership sessions, especially with our year 11 head student cohort. We were really impressed with Chris’ initial work, so we then brought them in to mentor students who were struggling to regulate their emotions and lacked confidence in some chaos.
Due to their work we’ve seen improved confidence in our young people. Leadership of our year 11 head student team has grown and they are much more confident and openminded.
The main benefits we’ve seen from Bright Leader’s work is the leadership skills developed, mentoring our students and the impact they have had following the sessions. Chris is very thorough and develops amazing relationships with everyone he works with. We really can't fault anything about Bright Leader’s delivery.
The most meaningful change has been that the students thrive when and after they have worked with Chris.
Jo Grundy
Unsworth
Working with Bright Leaders has been an exceptionally positive experience, and Laura’s work with our Year 5 class over the summer term has been nothing short of transformational. She brought an infectious energy and genuine passion to every session, quickly building strong, authentic relationships with all pupils – impressively remembering every child’s name from day one. Laura skilfully taught the children about the importance of mutual respect, integrity and supporting their motivation to learning, linking these seamlessly to our school ethos in a way that was both engaging and deeply meaningful. Her delivery was fun, dynamic and impactful, and the progress we have seen in one of our most challenging cohorts has been remarkable. The ripple effects of her work continue to be felt across the school, strengthening our culture and supporting pupils to make consistently positive choices. I recommend Bright Leaders wholeheartedly
Marie Beale
Whitefield
This is our third year working with Chris and the Bright Leaders team.
Chris is an exceptional practitioner and communicator, he in turn engages and challenges the children and staff alike, and has facilitated significant personal growth and self awareness through the leadership sessions he has delivered, and also through small group and 1:1 coaching. Chris is also much loved by staff, and has supported them through staff meetings and coaching.
This has been very supportive in developing those staff but also supporting well being and the desired culture of the school where everyone belongs and matters and we all play our part.
Jenny Scott
St Peters
We have been working with Bright Leaders for a number of years now. Chris is a very positive, motivational leader who empowers children and works very effectively with all school stakeholders. The work Chris has carried out with our Pupil leadership teams, play leaders and classes has been high quality and has had significant impact across school.
Keith Jones
The Ferns
We have worked with Bright Leaders for several years, through the Learner to Leader programme and a Resident Coach. The Bright Leaders coaches have built positive long-term relationships with children and staff. The 1:1 mentoring that a Resident Coach provides has allowed us to target specific children struggling with low confidence, anxiety or poor attendance. This has been extremely beneficial and we have seen these children make strong progress towards their individual targets with the support of Bright Leaders. We would highly recommend this programme.
We have seen a really positive impact in the confidence and leadership skills of children at The Ferns with the support of Bright Leaders. Whether working with classes, smaller groups or individuals during 1:1 mentoring, the positive impact and increase in children’s confidence and wellbeing is clear to see. We strive to develop confident, empathetic, articulate children who form positive relationships with others - values that align perfectly with Bright Leaders.
The Bright Leaders team are always extremely positive and professional and communication is excellent. The Bright Leaders coaches are part of the team, always willing to be flexible and support staff and children however they can. Bright Leaders supported a group of Year 5 and 6 children who lacked confidence. Together they planned a project to collect items to donate to a local food bank. It was fantastic to see the children taking ownership of the project - empowered, enthused and engaged by the chance to make a difference. The pride that the children showed when delivering the food to the food bank and talking to staff there was inspiring; the children had visibly grown in confidence, empathy and self-belief. It was an experience that will stay with them for many years.
Steven Hawke
Gaskell
Before working with Bright Leaders teamwork was an area of development and working with Becky has improved that.
The positive change I have seen in our classes is increased confidence.
The three benefits myself and my pupils have experience through Bright Leaders' work is confidence, understanding and empathy.
Bright leaders provides children with important skills to understand and make a better person of themselves. It provides lots of confidence and self resilience.
Becky has been really supportive and shown enthusiasm to support the children on their Bright Leaders Journey.
All of the sessions have been fantastic. Becky has worked hard to provide the children with key skills to improve themselves.
Claire Wood
Masefield
Within my year group i have been part of the Bright Leaders programme for the last 3 years now and can honestly say i have seen it change the children. The children are shown and given the tools to encourage themselves to lead, think and find their inner self. The skills the children have gained through the Bright Leaders project have been applied throughout the curriculum.
Some children lacked the confidence to share ideas in front of their peers. Other children lacked the resilience needed to persevere through tricky tasks. I have seen the children champion each other and their co-operation skills have massively improved. Often the children who tend to seem shy or quiet have really found themselves a voice through Bright Leaders and I have seen a totally different side to their character.
The main benefits I have seen is the ability to teach the children to grow, learn and help each other. Supporting each other day to day when even the smallest of challenges seem overwhelming. The Learner to Leader programme go hand in hand to help build confidence in such a fun environment. I’d tell any school thinking of working with you to absolutely go for it. Bright Leaders is such a rewarding programme for all.
Working with Bright Leaders has been so much fun, even for someone who is extremely competitive when it came to the games! Laura is Amazing!
What’s been the best result - my journey because it enabled the students to get a better understanding of what their lives have entailed in such a short time.
Jake Maloney
The Ferns
As a Year 5 teacher, I have had the privilege of working with Chris and Bright Leaders, and the impact on both my pupils and my own development as an Early Career Teacher has been significant.
Chris brings a genuine passion and energy that immediately engages children. Through his programme, I have seen a clear transformation in my class. Pupils have grown in confidence, becoming more willing to express themselves and take pride in their achievements. They now demonstrate greater accountability and show increased initiative in both their learning and behaviour.
What stands out most is Chris’s ability to develop leadership from within. His sessions are purposeful and meaningful, helping pupils build resilience, self-belief and a stronger sense of responsibility. This has had a lasting and positive effect on the culture within the classroom.
His mentoring is equally impactful. Through targeted 1:1 sessions, Chris supports individual pupils to overcome personal barriers and realise their potential, while his whole-class work ensures that every child feels included and motivated to succeed.
As an ECT, I have personally benefited from observing Chris’s approach. His ability to connect with pupils and create meaningful learning experiences has influenced my own teaching and pastoral practice.
Bright Leaders delivers a powerful programme that supports schools in building a culture where aspiration, leadership and inclusivity can thrive. I would highly recommend Chris and Bright Leaders to any school looking to strengthen their pastoral and enrichment provision and empower their pupils to become confident, capable individuals.