Aspirational Kings Heath Primary Academy pupils awarded UN Changemaker awards

​​​​​​​Twelve Kings Heath Primary Academy pupils visited the University of Northampton yesterday for workshops, afternoon tea and an awards ceremony, where the children were awarded with Ruby Changemaker Student Awards.

The Changemaker Student Awards form part of the University’s commitment as an Askoka U Changemaker Campus to work with, celebrate and actively engage local schoolchildren in social change. The award aims to recognise, celebrate and build children’s skills as Changemakers through innovative self-designed projects in their schools and the wider community.

The children, aged between 6 and 11, set up a School Council to ensure every member of the school has the opportunity to have their voice heard. A second group also raised money to start a school garden and vegetable plot in an unused area of the school grounds meeting after school to make their plans happen. Pupils worked hard on both projects, which aimed to engage pupils, staff, Planet 2 students and the wider community.

The Changemaker team at Kings Heath Primary Academy were awarded with Ruby awards by the University of Northampton’s Peter Wells. At the event, the children had time to talk and reflect on the skills required to make positive changes within their school: commitment, responsibility and listening.  After afternoon tea, each child received a certificate and pin badge to recognise their achievements. Such was the enthusiasm around the scheme’s Ruby award the pupils will now be working towards the next tier of the award, the Emerald certificate.​

Jane Badger-Jones, Head of Schools Engagement (UCEE) at the University of Northampton said: “We are so pleased to welcome such aspirational Changemakers to the University and celebrate all of their achievements in making a positive difference in their school community.  Throughout the assessment and presentation the children demonstrated their Changemaker values and  skills with a ‘I can’ attitude.  We wish them well as they begin their Emerald Changemaker journey!”

Mrs Kim Duff, Headteacher of Kings Heath Primary, said: “‘The Changemaker Ruby award provides a unique opportunity for pupils who are driving change in their schools from the University of Northampton.  The pupils at Kings Heath Primary Academy were incredibly focused and driven in their aim to secure the Changemaker Ruby Award and as a result successfully implemented a School Council and School Garden.  The Pupils thoroughly enjoyed the awards reception and sharing their achievements with members of the University of Northampton.”

The Changemaker Student Awards are open to all schools and colleges. For further information please contact schoolsengagement@northampton.ac.uk. An album of images from this event are available on the University of Northampton’s Facebook page​.