Editor's choice February 2007

Former Corrie Street Star Boosts Pupils’ Self-esteem

Pupils’ taking part in the ‘Valued Youth’ programme at St Alban’s CE School in Highgate were treated to a visit by Former Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati recently. Shobna who played Sunita in the hit soap drama has been playing The Fairy Godmother in the successful panto Cinderella at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

During her visit, Shobna spoke about her experiences and gave positive encouragement to the pupils. Her talk centred on her life story and the trials and tribulations that she has had to overcome to be where she is now. Shobna, who prior to being an actress worked in education, travels the country giving talks to young people who need motivating. As a student at the University of Manchester, Shobna studied Languages, but it was her passion for dancing that led her to become a professional dancer before becoming an actress. For Shobna, the drive to achieve her goals provides her with examples of how to overcome adversity and to strive for success.

Valued Youth is an innovative programme, which enables secondary school pupils to develop their self-confidence, motivation and self-esteem by acting as classroom tutors to primary pupils. Through their involvement with the programme, young people learn new skills, and are able to believe that they have something positive to offer their local community; they become recognised and valued for their work in primary schools and develop a strong and positive role-model relationship with their primary pupils. By being involved in the learning process in primary schools, they are able to reflect upon their own learning and make choices and changes towards a more positive future.

The success of the programme is further enhanced by the involvement of Step:up UK, a national charity which develops Valued Youth jointly with schools and LEAs (Local Education Authority) around the country.

The Valued Youth programme has been building confidence and re-engaging pupils for the last ten years and celebrated this achievement last year at the Council House. This year St. Alban’s School plan to celebrate their ten years of involvement with the programme in style and make it a memorable experience for everyone concerned. Shobna said of the scheme, “It’s important to value our young people and to recognise, nurture and support them. It’s also important for young people to have access and to break stereotypes. This scheme is wonderful and helps them achieve their potential”.