Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) students came together for their third student voice conference last week. The focus for the event was championing mental wellbeing and celebrating diversity, which had been chosen by student voice teams at last year’s conference. More than 150 students from primary, secondary and Post 16 Outwood academies attended the conference, where they could network with fellow students from other regions.

The day was hosted by Leeds United Foundation and had keynote speeches from organisations including Burley Banksy, Spectrum Community Health, Marching Out Together, Wakefield Pride and Starfish who shared their expertise with students, focusing on areas such as mental health, the importance of the creative arts in positive wellbeing, supporting bereavement and loss, celebrating diversity and, in particular, understanding and responding to the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Other guests in attendance were ‘Speak Up’ National Theatre, iSpace and Premier League Inspires. 

Mark Umpleby, Board Member at Marching Out Together, said:

“It was wonderful to speak at the student conference at Elland Road! It was great to share with the students about the work of Marching Out Together - the LGBTI+ official fans group of Leeds United. 

“The students had some great questions for me after I’d shared information about some of the work we do. Later in the day, it was lovely to have students sit in the stands with our Marching Out Together flag which is there for each match at Elland Road. It was a real pleasure to be part of the conference and all the students gave great hope in our divided world for the future.”

Pat Sowa, Founder of Starfish, added:

“I have come away totally inspired and full of hope for the future. The young people at OGAT are such brilliant ambassadors for their schools and their generation. The quality of questions, level of engagement and vision they have for the curriculum was awesome.

“Most importantly, I hope they keep on recognising the power of their voices both individually and collectively.”

The conference was opened with a performance from the ‘Speak Up’ group from Outwood Academy City Fields. Speak Up is a nationwide programme that aims to inspire a movement of young people to speak up about the issues that matter to them. Over 35 Outwood Academy City Fields students co-created a powerful piece about the importance of being heard, being seen and being listened to. Their work opened with the lines ‘When you look at me, what do you see? Imagine all the things that I could be. What do you see when you look at me? Youth? Potential? Possibility?’ 

Julie Slater, Chief Executive Principal at OGAT, said:

“After hosting two successful student voice conferences last year, we couldn’t wait to have students back for a third time. 

“It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm of the students who attended. Students, as always, impressed us with their high levels of engagement and the way they networked with their peers. The guest speakers were superb and I’d like to thank them for taking the time to join us.

“Our students have chosen diversity and wellbeing as an area of focus which is important to them and as part of the Outwood Big Voice campaign, it is imperative, as leaders, that we listen to what is important to our students and how we support them during their time with us. The conferences give our family of schools opportunities to foster new friendships, learn together and make a difference to the communities we serve.”