About Learning to Lead

Learning to Lead is a training and consultancy organisation born out of a concern for the lack of opportunity for genuine student involvement in the life of school communities.

The last five years have been dedicated to creating a model of school community council to address this need, so that students can 'self-elect' to be a part of a supportive organisation made up of student-led teams, in which they develop their ideas and are responsible for turning these ideas into positive action.

Learning to Lead has piloted and developed this way of working in the Blue School, Wells, Somerset.

Susan Piers Mantell, a former English teacher and parent of four sons, played a big part in a campaign to influence the Government's early learning policy in 1999. The nationwide campaign called 'Let the children play' led to the Government including more play led activities in their early learning goals.

"Just as I feel passionately about the importance of learning through play for young children, so I feel strongly about the importance of learning through doing as they grow into adulthood. This, plus the longing to see young people respected and involved in their schools and communities, led me into my present work."

Inspired by the outcome of her work with The Blue School and the desire to share this way of working with other schools and students, Susan has started Learning to Lead. She is now working with others to develop Learning to Lead in schools nationwide.