£40k competition invites Clydebank pupils to shape future

The Hunter Foundation (THF) is asking primary and secondary students to submit ideas on what they would change if they ruled Scotland, encouraging pupils to drive new ideas for the country’s future.

The winning school will be rewarded with a £5000 funding boost and a £30,000 Young People’s Leadership Academy (YPLA) course from Columba 1400, a registered charity which is celebrating 25 years of partnership with THF.

Two additional winners will each receive £2500 to support their schools.

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Sir Tom Hunter, the founder of THF, has challenged pupils to think creatively.

He said: "If you ruled Scotland, what would you change?

"All you have to do is write an essay, a poem, create a film or a picture – or indeed use any medium you wish – to tell us what you would do if you ran Scotland.

"Be as creative as you like and tell us what you would change, why you would change it and how?

"We look forward to hearing your brilliant ideas."

Sir Tom Hunter during his school days at New Cumnock Primary School (Image: Supplied) The competition allows for individual or group submissions, with the winning entry being presented at the Founders Conference at Gleneagles Hotel on November 7.

This event will be attended by some of Scotland’s leading entrepreneurs.

A group of up to 20 people from the winning school will also embark on a six to nine-month journey with Columba 1400's Young People’s Leadership Academy, exploring themes of self-awareness and values.

They will attend an immersive residential placement to draw out their strengths and encourage them to think about the future, taking the skills they learned back to their home community.

Pupils wishing to enter the competition must provide content summarising what they would do if they ran Scotland, outlining what they would change, why and how.

They are also encouraged to indicate how they would invest the £5000 and select pupils for the Young People’s Learning Academy.

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Entries, which can be in any form preferred by the pupils, should not exceed two pages or two minutes if a film or audio clip.

These must be submitted by a teacher by the closing date on September 22.

All submissions should be sent to schools@thehunterfoundation.co.uk along with the school’s name and a preferred contact email address and telephone number.

Sir Tom Hunter said: "We look forward to hearing your brilliant ideas."