A friend of mine recently visited Atlantic College in Wales. She was pretty impressed altogether, but what she wanted to talk about most was the service programme that they run for the students. This service programme isn't just about students extending time and care into their local community, it includes a list of high competency training schemes including how to run a Lifeboat Centre.... to manning the phone lines at Childline.

The College describes their aims as follows:

The College enables young people to become responsible citizens, politically and environmentally aware, committed to the ideals of peace, justice, understanding and cooperation, and to the implementation of these ideals through action and personal example.

It sounds to me as though Atlantic College may actually be achieving some of these aims, partly by helping students feel genuinely capable. I went to hear Richard Gerver's talk on creativity in education in London on Tuesday, who was excellent, and was again inspired to think seriously about how vital it is to broaden the curriculum.

So much discussion in education is about the academic curriculum, new teaching methods etc. Thankfully a lot of discussion about 'soft skills' and confidence too. Which is great. But nothing in my opinion makes a person feel more capable, than actually being capable.

As with Atlantic College and countless other examples of inspiring programmes for young people, it is the variety of experiences which seems the essential opportunity. Whether a sports programme, a dance programme, or an art or service one, each may offer an opportunity to a young person which provides the catalyst for developing a sense of excitement and enjoyment.....

William Damon's recent book The Path to Purpose, describes the results of a research project with young people, looking particularly at the discouragement of many young people who are not engaged with their lives. He writes:

"Ultimately all young people will make their own choices: no one can do this for them. But we can make it far more likely that they will be able to make good choices which provide them with a lifelong sense of well-being. We can offer them possibilities that fire their imaginations, guidance that encourages their highest aspirations, support that helps them realize their aspirations, and a cultural climate that inspires rather than demoralizes them."

Photographs from Stefan Bruggemann's text pieces.