1. “Leading Lights” A local project to raise aspirations

2. Who we are Local voluntary organisation Local voluntary organisation Building community cohesion through educational projects Building community cohesion through educational projects Funded to provide this project by LBC and Aimhigher Funded to provide this project by LBC and Aimhigher www.aspire-uk.org www.aspire-uk.org

3. Aims of Project Showcase local role models Showcase local role models Demonstrate wide range of paths Demonstrate wide range of paths Raise aspirations Raise aspirations Provide an opportunity for direct contact with role models Provide an opportunity for direct contact with role models

4. Part 1 – Leading Lights Booklet 1. High Schools contacted to provide names 2. Research and Contact made 3. Profiles prepared and published in booklet 4. Launch event in June 5. Booklet distributed to schools 6. Lesson Plans prepared

5. Part 2 – Workshops in schools 1. Pilot at Challney High School for Girls 2. Role models selected to visit 3. Circulated around year 10 classes 4. Spoke about experiences at that school and career path

6. Evaluation “It has inspired me and made me think about how I may want to pursue different courses in life” “It has inspired me and made me think about how I may want to pursue different courses in life” “The workshop has given us the motivation to do well and shows us that no matter what happens you can do really well and be successful if you try your best and work hard” “The workshop has given us the motivation to do well and shows us that no matter what happens you can do really well and be successful if you try your best and work hard” “The workshop has been helpful because I have learnt a lot of careers that I didn’t know of and it has taught me that if you want to become something you have to work hard yourself”, “The workshop has been helpful because I have learnt a lot of careers that I didn’t know of and it has taught me that if you want to become something you have to work hard yourself”,

7. Next Steps Continuing Profile collections Continuing Profile collections Building Database Building Database Workshop available to more schools Workshop available to more schools

8. “The leading Lights project is important because it provides young people in Luton with evidence that they can go on and succeed in life regardless of their background. It offers "real life" role models to whom they can relate; as well as acting as an alternative source of guidance and inspiration in the lives of those that read the profiles”. Dr Mbang Ana-Leading Lights Handbook Role Model. “The leading Lights project is important because it provides young people in Luton with evidence that they can go on and succeed in life regardless of their background. It offers "real life" role models to whom they can relate; as well as acting as an alternative source of guidance and inspiration in the lives of those that read the profiles”. Dr Mbang Ana-Leading Lights Handbook Role Model. “Leading Lights is a brilliant project, and I was delighted to be included in the booklet. The power of narrative and story to inspire people is well known - and to include positive stories from Luton's home-grown talent can only be a good thing. I look forward to the next booklet”, Gavin Shuker-MP Luton South. “Leading Lights is a brilliant project, and I was delighted to be included in the booklet. The power of narrative and story to inspire people is well known - and to include positive stories from Luton's home-grown talent can only be a good thing. I look forward to the next booklet”, Gavin Shuker-MP Luton South.