22 April 2026
Last week saw the start of the Kings Trust Programme, a 12-week course centered around employability and building key skills such as confidence and teamwork for young people aged 16 – 25.
The first week priortised settling into life at John Ruskin College with the group receiving a tour of the facilities and their new classroom. They were able to learn more about the course structure and each other through collaborative group activities such as the creation of a team contract and designing their own personal shields. Students even wrote letters to their future selves, which are to be opened at the end of the programme.
When asked what they are most looking forward to for the rest of the course, the group volunteered for answers such as getting to know each other, building strength, and the residential trip which is taking place next week.
By the end of the week, they have made significant progress in their learning and Kings Trust qualification, completing diagnostic assessments as well as unit 1, which focused on personal development.
To help familiarise themselves with responsibilities, designated roles such as Student Leader and Student Wellbeing & Inclusion Officer have been introduced. Acting on a rotating basis, these roles harness each student’s leadership and responsibility in a familiar setting.
Programme Lead Dylan England reflected on the first week with high praise for the cohort: “It’s been a really positive first week. Bringing together a group of young people who are all different, but share the same ambition to better themselves, is a real privilege.”
He went on to add, “the group has engaged brilliantly so far, and it’s exciting to see their confidence already growing as they begin this 12‑week personal development programme with The King’s Trust.”
Next on the agenda is a residential which will test their teamwork and independence in a new environment.
Find out more about our Kings Trust programme here.
