The Wings of Hope Achievement – or WOHAA as it is now fondly known – was created to recognise and reward the hard work that students put into their projects and events for the Wings of Hope. It will develop and enhance your students outside the boundaries of the school curriculum in key skill areas such as teamwork, leadership, entrepreneurship and creativity.

The award scheme is growing year on year with record numbers of students benefiting from the WOHAA experience. To date, over 10,000 UK students have participated in WOHAA.

The students that have taken part in WOHAA rate their experiences on average 9 out of 10. When asking them what skills they thought they learnt, over a quarter pointed to teamwork and over a fifth to time management skills. Many of the students also felt more socially responsible after completing the award scheme.

There are many aspects to WOHAA which makes it stand out from the crowd (exactly what it does for the students that take part). Not only does it ripen key skills but also benefits by giving students the flexibility to fit their projects into the school timetable.

Box 1 =Why get involved?

Why students get involved:

• Uniquely, in the long term the scheme offers students a chance to get proper work experience at some of our associated sponsors. Such leading UK organisations as Accenture, Saatchi & Saatchi, Capco, TATA Consultancy Services, ARUP, Edelman, and The Sunday Times.
• Some of our corporate partners will be hosting a series of skills workshops for participating students of WOHAA throughout the year. The workshops will educate students on the commercial world in addition to building CV writing skills and interview techniques. Vice Chair of Edelman, Jackie Cooper, also hosts a workshop for students into the world of Public Relations and the power of the media. We also run law workshops for students which will take place – along with the Accenture and Edelman workshops – during half term breaks.
  • The overall winners of WOHAA get a chance to roll up their sleeves on an all expenses paid trip to one of the educational projects in a far flung corner of the world, to see first hand the amazing work that their projects has made possible.
  • Opportunity to apply for our WOHAA bursary to support them throughout their university education – the bursaries will be allocated based on academic achievements and means testing.
• Finally, WOHAA also fulfils the service part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, not to mention adding a prestigious element to CVs and UCAS forms.

The purpose of WOHAA is to challenge students to step outside their comfort zones and develop an awareness of social responsibility. We look for creativity and innovation with students doing a range of activities from cake sales to mufti days and sky dives!

“I really am very proud of the hours our committed students set aside for Wings of Hope. They have been real ambassadors of our school and the wider community.”

Miss K McGrandle, Hatch End High School

Students register online in September and submit their Snapshot projects (a scrapbook illustrating their activities) to us in February for assessment. The teams are then shortlisted to attend a semi-final event at the House of Lords, and the winners are announced at an award ceremony at Wembley Stadium.

Box 2 = School Life with WOHAA

What do I (the teacher) have to do?

• As much or as little as you like! WOHAA is 100% flexible for students and teachers – it is designed to fit around the school timetable
• WOHAA is entirely student managed and we’re there to support the students every step of the way!

WOHAA makes an exciting new addition to:

PSHE

AQA Baccalaureate

• D of E volunteering

Citizenship

CoPE

The CAS Requirements for the IB

Gifted and Talented provision within your school

WOHAA offers a variety of ways for students to develop key skills outside of the classroom.

Box 3 = what students do?

Under the microscope WOHAA looks something like this:

• The award is open to anyone in years 9 -13 (but we welcome keen applicants from outside this year bracket
• The students can enter individually or in a team of up to six people. One person will need to be brave and volunteer to lead the team and manage the project
• There is no limit to the number of teams entering from each school or the amount of events the team undertakes
• Groups can form team between different schools as long as they communicate with each other.

In groups of up to 6, students plan and carry out their own, projects, events and activities in their school and local community. It is entirely up to the students what they choose to do. Examples of events previous participants have organised include bake sales, auctions, galas, sponsored swims, talent shows and sports days.

The first step is to book our lively and engaging student presentation to introduce the scheme to your students! WOHAA is ideal for students in years 9-13. Contact us to book a visit to your school today! Or download and complete the Presentation Booking Form and return it to us.