The Need

Recent reports from the Chartered Management Institute CMI, Ernst and Young, 2016 .The Confederation of British Industries, CBI, 2017 and most recently the Institute of Directors, IoD, 2018,
all call for our education system to provide organisations with young people who are not just academically well qualified but who demonstrate resilience, teamworking skills and who can communicate. The Stretch Programme aims to start this process. 

The Principles of the Stretch Programme

  • ​To Inspire students, stretching their aspirations
  • Encouraging the students to adopt a Can Do Mentality
  • To listen to students, interpreting their thoughts into a development programme
  • To embed within the school/s ensuring close liaison
  • To keep the Grass Routes and school teams small
  • To keep activities local to ensure students can follow them up
  • To be passionate about all that we do

Who is the Stretch Programme For?   The following is a statement used by one school

As a school we try to provide opportunities for leadership for all of our students however due to the unique experiences available on the Grass Routes programme we have selected students who may, in the past have lacked the confidence to push themselves forward.
We have also chosen students who whilst confident and enjoy a challenge, would benefit from the opportunity to further develop their soft skills. In particular, we want these children to thrive in team situations and positively interact with an increased range of personalities.

A Sample Stretch Programme

The above programme is the skeleton of a programme which the youmg people will contribute to, deciding what activities they would like to do in the blank activity days.
What does the School need to Provide?
  • ​Passionate, pro-active, top down support
  • An administrator to manage the Key internal - external interface between the School, Grass Routes, Future Quest and Parents
  • A small committed staff team, who are respected and known by the participants. Responsible for welfare and discipline issues
  • Transport
  • Classrooms