ANOTHER GREAT NIGHT AT THE CUTLERS HALL IN SHEFFIELD!

I was at the Cutlers Hall this evening where David Grey, the current Master Cutler, led the celebration event for the Cutlers 'Made in Sheffield' Cultural Ambassador programme which Zeena Rashid and colleagues have been developing the at Firth Park Academy over the last two years working with some brilliant partner organisations.

We held the passport ceremony for the Cutlers 'Made in Sheffield' Cultural Ambassadors programme  at the Cutlers Hall in Sheffield this evening. 15 young ambassadors received their passports from David Grey, the current Master Cutler in front of an audience of parents and carers and guests. The highlight of the evening was the speeches by two young ambassadors. Emily and Katie's confidence, determination and communication skills were simply breathtaking and even David said that he could not have performed like that when he was their age. Once again, it showed the impact this great scheme is having at Firth Park Academy.

The Cutlers’ Company has been working with the school and some brilliant businesses and employers to help these young people develop the skills and attitudes that are essential for the world of work. The aim of the initiative is to provide school students with an additional skills-set based on the needs of the workplace - developing character, resilience and grit, basic skills like literacy, numeracy, communication and creativity and higher level skills like teamwork, problem solving and critical thinking.The Cultural Ambassador pilot has been an extraordinary initiative brilliantly led by Zeena Rasheed working with a group of stockholders and partners who are all passionate about getting young people involved and participating in cultural activity.

We know that the arts and sport are critical elements in developing skills like teamwork, problem solving and critical thinking and that at their heart they have developing character, resilience, determination and hard work. We also know that no single organisation can deliver the breadth and richness of the cultural sector in Sheffield on their own and Zeena has been keen therefore for arts, culture and sports organisations to team up and work with her to deliver an ambitious ambassador programme. In a world controlled by the DfE and OFSTED it is wonderful to see a school that is striving for excellence in everything they do and being really ambitious by providing programmes that include music, film, theatre, comedy, heritage, museums, art and design, literature and sport.