YOUNG people at Rivington and Blackrod High School are on track to be the leaders of the future as they learn how to embrace and overcome challenges — including viewing “exams as friends”.

Nearly 40 of the school’s most able pupils have been given a unique opportunity to stretch themselves in a different way and are working towards an Institute of Leadership and Management qualification in self-management.

The course, which they embarked on around Easter time, is designed to develop the way they approach situations — including developing vocabulary to debate and argue without getting angry, and replacing the word try with will.

At the end of the course the students will gain an externally accredited qualification.

Institute of Leadership and Management courses are usually used by industry and other organisations to train leaders.

Senior teacher Rebecca Grantham said: “Rivington and Blackrod High School has taken just under 40 students on the Institute of Leadership and Management journey working in conjunction with PULSE consultancy.

"This has provided our students with a unique opportunity to further develop their leadership skills.”

Mrs Grantham who teaches humanities and modern foreign languages added: “This course is designed to develop time management, stress management, prioritisation of tasks, resilience, managing challenging situations and target-setting skills.

“All of these are cross curricular themes that we believe will benefit our students as they move into the final phase of their main school journey.

“They are switching their mind sets to see exams as ‘friends’ and working to maximise their opportunities between now and the final exams.”

Deputy Headgirl Sarah Acton, aged 15, said: “It has been really interesting and useful, particularly in preparing for exams, managing your time and working out the steps to get where you want to be.

“We also found out what drains us and energises us and how to deal with that which was good and quite powerful.”

Freya Molyneux, aged 15, added: “I keep saying over and over again ‘exams are friends’ so they do not seem so daunting.

“I have found that I manage my time more efficiently now.”

Adam Vali, aged 15, said: “It has helped me realise how to plan the steps I need to take and prepare for exams.”