Darwin: Inspiring Global Leaders Course
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Register your interest for 2025
Course Introduction
Our Darwin Inspiring Global Social Leaders course will inspire students to think distinctively and empower them with the skills and knowledge to support their next steps in education and in their future careers as leaders.
Shrewsbury School is one of only two independent schools in the United Kingdom that offers its students the opportunity to gain the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Young Leaders Award. Celebrating Darwin’s legacy, students will learn about the leadership style which made him great, exploring topics of resilience, motivation, problem solving, and collaboration, all supplemented by a wide range of activities to shape future global innovators.
From discovering how successful teams work, to maximising the opportunities of AI, students will learn through lessons and experiences that are serious fun, empowering them to lead businesses or meet the future challenges of the world.
Many Salopians have progressed onto various leadership roles around the world in the fields of finance, science, medicine, politics, education, business, arts and sports, and this course draws on this global network of alumni to support students’ progression into a borderless mindset driving the future of work.
Shrewsbury is the only school in the UK that provides a course that combines the opportunity to learn exceptional leadership skills through the ILM, whilst absorbing the real-world expertise from our global network of leading Salopians.
The Course
This course is designed to be delivered to students aged between 15-18 years to support them as senior students as they progress towards the world of university and the workplace.
This course provides students with the opportunity to learn and apply practical skills, as well as gain formal accreditation from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), that will prove invaluable as they progress closer to the world of work.
To obtain the ILM Young Leaders Award, there will be over 20 hours of lessons over the two-week period. This will be a mixture of theoretical and practical work, with all the work assessed through assignments, group activities and peer observations. There are no examinations.
Charles Darwin could be described as the ultimate ‘Self-Leader’. His relentless quest for knowledge set an example to us all, revolutionizing how humans view the natural world. It is these qualities that form the core of the programme delivery, with students spending time exploring leadership topics such as motivation, decision making and the importance of striving for excellence as human beings. Darwin was also a firm believer in sharing his ideas and experiences, with students having the opportunity to follow suit by mentoring pupils from local schools, to aid their development and progression.
As well as gaining valuable skills and knowledge that will help personal development and growth, students will complete the fortnight with a qualification that has global currency. Additionally, they will have a greater understanding of worldwide issues that will impact on leadership, such as climate change and AI, whilst having enjoyed the social aspect of embracing UK culture. In addition to gaining this qualification, students will also spend valuable time learning about degree level options in the United Kingdom, supplemented by a visit to the world’s leading Higher Education institution, The University
of Oxford.
Students will have the opportunity to speak with and learn from UK leaders about their roles, some of whom will visit the students on site, whilst others will be met on the excursions. It is important that students enjoy a range of activities, and these will be planned carefully to ensure that students can access opportunities for personal development.
This course is serious fun and provides a wide range of activities which will enrich and support personal growth, preparing students for life at university, and for their future career.
Course Overview
Performing Arts Summer School - Week 1 Example Timetable
Monday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 10.30am |
Group 1: Improv and Games Group 2: Intro to dance technique |
| 10.30am - 11.00am | Break |
| 11.00am - 12.30pm |
Group 1: Intro to singing technique Group 2: Improv and games |
| 12.30pm - 1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm - 3.00pm |
Group 1: Intro to dance technique Group 2: Intro to singing technique |
| 3.00pm - 6.00pm | Afternoon activity |
| 6.00pm - 7.00pm | Supper |
| 7.00pm - 9.00pm | Evening activity |
Tuesday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 10.30am |
Group 1: Building character Group 2: Dance Chorus number 1 |
| 10.30am - 11.00am | Break |
| 11.00am - 12.30pm |
Group 1: Dance - Chorus number 1 Group 2: Singing - Chorus number 1 |
| 12.30pm - 1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm - 3.00pm |
Group 1: Singing - Chorus number 1 Group 2: Building character |
| 3.00pm - 6.00pm | Afternoon activity |
| 6.00pm - 7.00pm | Supper |
| 7.00pm - 9.00pm | Evening activity |
Wednesday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 10.30am |
Group 1: Text work (Verse) Group 2: Dance - Chorus number 1 |
| 10.30am - 11.00am | Break |
| 11.00am - 12.30pm |
Group 1: Dance - Chorus number 1 Group 2: Dance - Text work (Verse) |
| 12.30pm - 1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm - 3.00pm | Singing - Chorus number 2 |
| 3.00pm - 6.00pm | Afternoon activity |
| 6.00pm - 7.00pm | Supper |
| 7.00pm - 9.00pm | Evening activity: Guest speaker on AI and Climate Change |
Thursday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 9.00pm |
Excursion 1: Stratford Trip to Stratford to include: |
Friday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 10.30am |
Group 1: Rehearse Chorus number 1 Group 2: Rehearse monologues |
| 10.30am - 11.00am | Break |
| 11.00am - 12.30pm |
Group 1: Rehearse monologues Group 2: Rehearse Chorus number 1 |
| 12.30pm - 1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm - 3.00pm | Mini-showing (work in progress) |
| 3.00pm - 6.00pm | Afternoon activity |
| 6.00pm - 7.00pm | Supper |
| 7.00pm - 9.00pm | Evening activity |
Saturday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 9.00pm |
Excursion 2: London Trip to London to include: |
Sunday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 9.00pm |
Excursion 2: London Sightseeing in London |
Performing Arts Summer School - Week 2 Example Timetable
Monday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 10.30am |
Group 1: Singing - small groups / solos Group 2: Dance masterclass (Birmingham Royal Ballet) |
| 10.30am - 11.00am | Break |
| 11.00am - 12.30pm |
Group 1: Singing - small groups / solos Group 2: Dance masterclass |
| 12.30pm - 1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm - 3.00pm |
Group 1: Dance masterclass (Birmingham Royal Ballet) Group 2: Singing small groups / solos |
| 3.00pm - 6.00pm | Afternoon activity |
| 6.00pm - 7.00pm | Supper |
| 7.00pm - 9.00pm | Evening activity |
Tuesday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 10.30am |
Group 1: Dance Chorus number 3 Group 2: Dance Chorus number 3 |
| 10.30am - 11.00am | Break |
| 11.00am - 12.30pm |
Group 1: Rehearse monologues Group 2: Singing Chorus number 3 |
| 12.30pm - 1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm - 3.00pm |
Group 1: Dance chorus number 3 Group 2: Rehearse monologues |
| 3.00pm - 9.00pm |
Excursion 3: Birmingham Trip to Birmingham for evening performance (Rep / Hippodrome / Alexandra) |
Wednesday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 12.30pm | Acting through song masterclass (West End Performer) |
| 12.30pm - 1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm - 7.00pm |
Excursion 4: Local Trip to Ironbridge |
| 7.00pm - 9.00pm | Supper |
Thursday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 10.30am |
Group 1: Singing - all Group 2: Dance - all |
| 10.30am - 11.00am | Break |
| 11.00am - 12.30pm |
Group 1: Dance - all Group 2: Singing - all |
| 12.30pm - 1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm - 3.00pm | Tech rehearsal - final showcase |
| 3.00pm - 6.00pm | Afternoon activity |
| 6.00pm - 7.00pm | Supper |
| 7.00pm - 9.00pm | Free for 1-1 rehearsals |
Friday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 10.30am | Dress rehearsal 1 - final showcase |
| 10.30am - 11.00am | Break |
| 11.00am - 12.30pm | Dress rehearsal 2 - final showcase |
| 12.30pm - 1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm - 6.00pm | Final Performance |
| 6.00pm - 7.00pm | Supper |
| 7.00pm - 9.00pm | Evening activity |
Saturday
| 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.10am - 9.00pm | Transfers and travel |
Course example timetables may be subject to change.
The ILM Programme - Topics Covered:
Developing Self-Leadership and Resilience for Young People
- Self-Leadership
- Resilience
- Problem Solving
- Self-Motivation
- Goal setting
- Overcoming obstacles
- Seeking support
- Self-Leadership challenge
- Self-Reflection
- Developing Mentoring Skills
for Young People - Communication
- Instructing Appropriately
- Planning and conducting meetings
- Motivating others
- Personal Developement
- Action planning
- Reflective practice
Successful completion of this course includes the awarding of a certificate from the Institute of Leadership and Management and also the Shrewsbury School Global Leaders Certificate.
This course will be accessible for those with good to advanced spoken English and who wish to improve their fluency through personal presentations and group work.
Course Features
Opportunities linked to leadership will be provided to students, allowing them to connect with guest speakers and flourish through enriching activities and being able to experience fantastic visits to Oxford and Liverpool.
Masterclasses from Old Salopians (Shrewsbury School Alumni) and guest speakers may cover topics ranging from:
- Lectures on the ethics of AI, one of the biggest global challenges / opportunities that will impact on future leaders.
- Leadership in politics (with an Old Salopian Member of Parliament).
- Problem solving, conflict management, resilience and self-motivation when running a business by an Old Salopian.
- Managing effectively in two completely contrasting environments.
- Thriving in a digital world.
- Finance sector leadership.
- Being a CEO in a global company.
- Marketing a global brand.
Potential excursions:
- Visit to Houses of Parliament, London
- Visit to Number 10 Downing Street, London
- Visit to University of Oxford
- Visit to Liverpool including Anfield Stadium, home of
- Liverpool FC, Beatles Story
- Visits to Global employers to learn more about how their work is evolving through advances in technology
Activities:
Afternoon and evening activities will allow students to mix socially and enjoy fun sessions. Below is a list of examples of sessions for 2025:
- Bubble football
- BBQs
- Movie nights (some outdoors)
- Swimming
- Trampolining
- Water sports
- Local walks
- Sports – football, badminton, squash, basketball, cricket
- Trip to sports events
All of the above course features are included in the price of the course but may be subject to change.
Accommodation
Shrewsbury School has a beautiful green-hearted campus site on the banks of the River Severn within one of the most historic county towns in England.
Our Houses make for the perfect place to come back to after a day of learning. Each boarding house has a common room providing ample space for pupils to relax and unwind, study areas for them to continue their educational journey as well as social areas with televisions, games, table tennis and other activities that will allow students to bond outside of the classroom.
Boys and girls will be separated in accommodation and allocated age-appropriate rooms for their stay, with experienced pastoral care on site.
Catering
Meals at Shrewsbury are enjoyed in our purpose-built catering hall, Kingsland Hall (‘KH’), where students will choose from a wide variety of freshly prepared dishes and then eat with their friends and tutors from the courses.
Food is provided by our contract catering company Sodexo, a catering company that is committed to the provision of delicious meals that bring both ingredients and cultures to life. Students with special dietary needs such as dairy/lactose intolerance, vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free diets and halal food can also be catered for.
Course content and trips may be subject to change.
