Thomas Clarkson Academy students took the lead at an event aimed at raising aspirations among young people.

A team of 12 students from the academy played a key role in a ground breaking project at Fitzwilliam College in Cambridge, which involved Neale-Wade Academy, Sir Harry Smith Community College and Cromwell Community College.

The older students used social enterprise company Humanutopia to inspire younger pupils to make positive changes to improve their school lives and future life chances.

Year 11 student Ciaran Lethbridge who helped run the event said: “Being involved with Humanutopia has really helped me, as I have gained a lot of confidence. It has taught me to assert myself more, as this was holding me back.

“Helping to run the workshop took me out of my comfort zone but now that I have done it, I realise that I have the confidence to do things I thought I couldn’t.

“I think that the impact of Humanutopia at TCA has made the school community closer and behaviour has improved.”

TCA Year 9 student Morgan Vincent said: “The Humanutopia experience has made me look at my own behaviour and decide to make a change. Immediately I have decided to behave better a school and at home, as I realise that it is in my hands to do well at school.”

TCA has been involved with Humanutopia for the past two years and the impact that it has had on behaviour and the aspirations of many students, has led to it now being embraced by the Fenland Schools Partnership.