Meet Jordan, a Programme Manager in the South East. Jordan is a strong advocate of experiences beyond the traditional school timetable. Let’s jump in to exploring the world beyond the timetable!
Hi, I'm Jordan, and I am a Programme Manager at CoachBright, managing our coaching programmes across Reading and the South East.
Outside of my work at CoachBright, I am a Duke of Edinburgh instructor and assessor, as well as a Scout and Explorer leader.
Through both my professional and voluntary roles, I have seen firsthand the impact that outdoor and extra-curricular activities can have on children and young people. Whether it's joining a sports team, coaching, taking part in a youth group, learning a musical instrument, volunteering, or completing DofE, these experiences provide opportunities for growth that extend far beyond academia.
Developing key skills
Education is not limited to the classroom. While schools provide students with essential knowledge, activities outside the classroom play an equally important role in personal growth and development. These activities help students build skills, discover interests, and gain experiences that cannot always be taught in a traditional learning environment.
One of the greatest benefits of extracurricular activities is the development of social skills. Taking part in sports, clubs, community service, or cultural events allows students to interact with people from different backgrounds. They learn how to work together, solve problems, and build meaningful relationships.
The benefits of youth groups such as scouting
As a Scout leader, I have witnessed the benefits of youth group activities firsthand. Over the years, I have seen young people grow in confidence and develop essential life skills such as leadership, resilience, communication, and teamwork. These are skills that will serve them well throughout their lives, both personally and professionally.
One of the greatest strengths of Scouting is the wide variety of badges and awards available, offering endless opportunities for learning and personal development. Through these activities, young people can discover new interests, challenge themselves, and broaden their understanding of the world around them. The skills they gain are incredibly diverse, ranging from practical tasks such as unblocking a sink or changing a lightbulb to life lessons like budgeting and making responsible decisions.
Of course, no discussion about Scouting would be complete without mentioning the adventure and outdoor experiences it offers. Whether it's building campfires, rafting, taking part in wide games, or cooking meals over an open fire in the woods, these activities create lasting memories while encouraging a love of the outdoors.
Every year, Scouts HQ conduct the Scout Experience Survey (SES). This survey found that 95% of their youth members take part in activities they hadn’t tried before Scouts, and that 85% of their members say they’re happier since joining Scouts. Even more prevalent, 40% of youth members say, through attending Scouts, they do better in school.
Why Access Matters
This is why youth groups play such a vital role within communities. Many organisations work hard to ensure that no child misses out because of their circumstances, offering financial support, flexible payment options, or other forms of assistance to families who may be finding things difficult. The aim is always to give every young person the opportunity to take part, learn new skills, and create lasting memories alongside their peers.
As a Scout leader it is incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact that participation can have. Watching young people gain confidence, develop new abilities, and discover their potential is one of the most fulfilling aspects of volunteering.
Every child deserves the chance to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Looking back on my own experiences and the young people I have worked with over the years, I am continually reminded of the power of extra-curricular activities. They help children build confidence, develop vital life skills, form meaningful connections and discover what they are capable of achieving. This is also why I am passionate about coaching and the work of CoachBright which supports young people to build confidence and thrive through meaningful coaching conversations.
The lessons learned outside the typical timetable often stay with young people for a lifetime, shaping not only who they are today, but who they will become in the future.