Core Lionheart

Delivered to 409,000 Pupils throughout the 9 Regions of the Country

Take a look at some of our video diary’s below by clicking the image!

ABOUT CORE LIONHEART

The programme is Scottish in origin, being launched from the Isle of Bute in 1999, as The Braveheart Challenge.

Shortly after its launch, the programme drew attention from the National Learning & Skills Council for England, with LionHeart Challenge becoming a nationwide Business and Enterprise Programme, which was then designated as National Flagship by the Learning & Skills Council for the 1st-ever UK Enterprise Week in 2004, aimed at nurturing young people as the UK’s future Responsible Citizens, Enterprising Employees and Business Leaders.

The Programme has been acclaimed nationally, through its use of high level business materials and the participation of Business Professionals as Team Facilitators, Expert Mentors and Judges.

LionHeart is totally inclusive in that it involves the participation of ENTIRE YEAR GROUP COHORTS OF PUPILS (aged 13-15), and during recent years, has been delivered to over 409,000 Pupils.

It involves Pupils participating intensively, over the duration of an entire working day, and is managed in full by LionHeart Delivery Team, who provide all planning and management of programme output, including school liaison, all staffing, materials, stationery and equipment required to comprehensively deliver the programme to whole year group cohorts of Pupils.

The programme allows participating Young People to see and experience for themselves at first hand, the relevance of their learning as it specifically applies to ‘Business’ and to the ‘Workplace’. The programme also centres Pupils on a key area of Sectoral focus, which is achieved through targeting a specific ‘Challenge Theme’ which can be varied across a wide range of industry sectors i.e. in this case, the Programme would be focused primarily on Business and Citizenship.

Through participation in the Challenge, the experience develops Pupils in FINANCIAL EDUCATION, NUMERACY, LITERACY and CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING, while nurturing within them, a wide range of invaluable BUSINESS, LIFE AND WORK SKILLS

WATCH OUR FILM FROM THE LIONHEART CHALLENGE AT ST. PAUL’S below

Core LionHeart Evaluation Reports

Click on the reports to read more about the amazing feedback we get!

KEY FEEDBACK FROM THE EVALUATION REPORTS

FORMAT & CONTENT

In terms of delivery format, LionHeart is a demanding, high energy, high impact experience for participating Young People i.e. Pupil Teams comprising of 10 Pupils broken down into non-friendship groups, who come together to form a cohesive team, and in line with their Business Coach's mentoring and the use of structured materials, the young people develop a Comprehensive Project Proposal comprising:

1. An HR Solutions Plan based on the skills and talents possessed by each young person in the Team

2. A Project Concept Solution in line with the Challenge Theme provided, and based on the needs and desires of an identified Sectoral Target Customer Group

3. A Financial Solution to launch their Business Project

4. A Marketing Solution detailing how the Team plan to get their Product to Market

On completion of the above, the Team then put together all the key elements of their MASTER PLAN, which they have devised throughout the day, and they then formally deliver a Final Business Presentation to an audience of Parents, Wider Family Members, Senior School Staff and an invited Audience including a Panel of Judges (these would include senior Representatives from Business, Media, Education, Civic and Community Groups).

Core LionHeart Storyboard Diary

KEY AIMS & BENEFITS TO PUPILS OF PARTICIPATING IN LIONHEART/BRAVEHEART

The Programme is firmly rooted in inclusivity, in that it engages and involves ‘hands-on’, Young People from ALL SOCIAL BACKGROUNDS, providing every Pupil in the year group without exception, with the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they will need to enable them to contribute positively and confidently in the Workplace.

The Programme provides a specific focus on nurturing the following outcomes:

Building Pupils CONFIDENCE, AMBITION and SELF-BELIEF, providing them with a PRACTICAL WORKPLACE UNDERSTANDING
Equipping Young People with AN ENTIRE SET OF MANAGEMENT TOOLS and BUSINESS TECHNIQUES – providing them with an EXCITING and HIGHLY TANGIBLE INSIGHT into KEY BUSINESS CONCEPTS
Enabling Pupils to WORK ALONGSIDE SUCCESSFUL, ROLE MODELS from Industry and Wider Business Community
Providing a Business Environment i.e. EXPOSURE OF PUPILS to a REAL BUSINESS EXPERIENCE, allowing them TO EXPERIMENT IN BUSINESS LIFE
Enabling Pupils to PUT INTO PRACTICE - THE DIRECT APPLICATION OF THE CURRICULUM - AS IT TRANSLATES INTO THE CORE SKILLS NEEDED IN THE WORKPLACE.

In summary, LionHeart provides young people with coaching on the CORE ELEMENTS OF BUSINESS, nurturing them in key WORK-RELATED, EMPLOYABILITY, and TECHNICAL BUSINESS SKILLS which will be so vital to them, in making that TRANSITION from EDUCATION to WORK and LIFE BEYOND SCHOOL (please see the table below for the skills mentoring which Pupils will undertake during their participation on the programme.

Measured Impact Feedback

Roaring to Go!

By Vharshanaa Sutharsan,
Year 10 Pupil: Burntwood School

To be honest, at first I felt a sense of intrepidation; business is not my subject area. However, having participated in the LionHeart Challenge this year, I can truly say that the experience taught me how to nurture the best of my Team to developing their leadership skills and ultimately helped me become more aware of my own capabilities and my strengths.

As elected team manager, I felt humbled and responsible for supporting my fellow team members throughout the process. I talked to Clare McDonald who is the Managing Director, she said, “The LionHeart Challenge gives young people confidence and knowledge about business. However, it also teaches them about teamwork, managing time and organisational skills.”

Clare was very right, as the day itself was extremely challenging, competitive and also stressful, however, I found that by understanding each individual team member, I was able to help establish our collective team dynamics as well as engaging individual team members without pushing them too far out their comfort zones if they didn't want to.

What I am truly saying, is that you can only 'truly', judge an opportunity once you, yourself, have taken a leap of faith and wholly embraced it.

YOUNG REPORTER SECTION

Feedback on value Mini LionHeart as as Transition Programme for Feeder Primary Schools and Pupils

Secondary School Testimonials

“This programme is a fantastic experience for Primary Pupils. The Pupils have used a range of skills throughout the day in a real life situation. They have worked in ‘non-friendship groups’ in a high pressure situation – requiring them to take on specific roles and responsibilities.”

- Ms. Amanda Scully
Assistant Head Teacher
Mini LionHeart HOST SECONDARY SCHOOL
LANCASHIRE

“The Presentations in the afternoon were fantastic. The Primary Pupils were amazing – the foundation provided by Mini LionHeart, gives us plenty to build on, when they arrive in Year 7.”

- Mr. Andy Perry
Teacher
Mini LionHeart HOST SECONDARY SCHOOL
Oldham, MANCHESTER

“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole Mini LionHeart Programme! In particular, the integration of Pupils from different schools is invaluable at Transition stage for Year 7 Students entering their Secondary education.”

- Ms. Vicky Bramley
Head of Year
Mini LionHeart HOST SECONDARY SCHOOL
LONDON

“The most valuable aspects of the programme are: the whole team approach by Mini LionHeart; and their involvement with the Pupils; and understanding their needs (all ages). It was fabulous, appropriate and purposeful. Thank you (again!).”

- Ms. Pauline Addy
Enterprise Co-ordinator
Mini LionHeart HOST SECONDARY SCHOOL
LIVERPOOL

“Once again the Mini LionHeart Team have provided a fantastic experience for our new intake of Year 7 students. Seeing the students arrive early for sessions following break and lunch because they wanted to get back to their projects is a testament to their level of engagement and enjoyment. Thank you so much!”

- Ms. Lorraine Mulcahy
Assistant Head Teacher
Mini LionHeart HOST SECONDARY SCHOOL
LONDON

“A positive, enjoyable experience for the Feeder Primary Pupils – all were engaged throughout, and the final products showed teamwork and effort. The Mini LionHeart Team were patient and helpful throughout the Programme and the Primary School staff were very happy with the organisation and content of the activities. The day was well organised and well-led from the outset.”

- Mr. Paul Leadbetter
Assistant Head Teacher
Mini LionHeart HOST SECONDARY SCHOOL
LIVERPOOL

“Confidence building, in particular, is the aspect of most value to our Pupils provided by Mini LionHeart Challenge. Once again, I am in awe of the Mini LionHeart programme, and what it achieves for Pupils transitioning from primary to a secondary school environment!”

- Mr. Irfan Chishti
Community Cohesion Advisor
Mini LionHeart HOST SECONDARY SCHOOL
Oldham, MANCHESTER

“A fantastic Programme for all our Feeder Primaries – Mini LionHeart has been enjoyed by all.”

- Ms. Hayley Andrews
Head of PSHE, PLTs & Enterprise
Mini LionHeart HOST SECONDARY SCHOOL
SOUTH WEST REGION

“Mini LionHeart encouraged the Year 7 Pupils to work well as a Team and listen to each other and share ideas. The programme greatly helps to build self-esteem for Pupils entering their Secondary School life.”

- Ms. Simone Okimo
Teacher
Mini LionHeart HOST SECONDARY SCHOOL
LONDON

“We host Mini LionHeart as an inter-Primary Transition Programme, as it is an excellent experience for all the Primary children in a different setting.

One of the most valuable aspects of the Challenge is the use of professional Mini LionHeart Business Coaches who provide a unique element to the Programme. Also, to have the Pupils working in Teams with different Pupils from different schools, means they develop real independence, and initiative.”

- Ms. Paula Robinson
Assistant Head
Mini LionHeart HOST SECONDARY SCHOOL
Bingley, YORKSHIRE

“I thought Mini LionHeart was a brilliant vehicle to get the new Year 7 Pupils to work with new people and develop friendships going forward within their new Secondary School, as well as igniting their interest in business and enterprise.”

- Ms. Hanah Browne
Teacher
Mini LionHeart HOST SECONDARY SCHOOL
LIVERPOOL

“The Mini LionHeart Challenge has fully engaged the Feeder Primary Pupils and kept their interest/focus throughout. We have run many Programmes with LionHeart and have been impressed with the organisation and delivery.”

- Mr. Steven Gore
Community Development & Enterprise Co-ordinator
Westleigh High School, Wigan

James Goodfellow

“Most Young People have no visibility of Business.

The programme shows them, probably for the first time, the essential nature of Teamworking, active listening, and the confidence to be able to express themselves to their peers.

I fully support your endeavour to expose Pupils to this experience of ‘what the World of Work is really like’ and that their ideas and opinions do matter.”