International Youth Day: Empowering Young Leaders for a Sustainable Future

As we celebrate International Youth Day, Beacon of Light School is proud to champion opportunities that empower young people to lead, grow and develop skills for life, including through an Esports leadership programme delivered in partnership with the Foundation of Light.

The Level 1 Qualification in Leadership Skills through Esports, created by the Leadership Skills Foundation and British Esports Federation, offers more than just gaming. It empowers young people with teamwork, communication and leadership skills, using structured Esports challenges as a platform for personal growth and development.

Run by staff from Sunderland AFC's official charity, the programme sees students dedicate three hours each week to sharpening skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom. Now entering its third year in September, the programme is giving students the confidence to lead, work together and strategise, abilities that will help shape their future in education, employment and wider society.

With the North East's Esports scene gathering momentum and Sunderland preparing to open a state-of-the-art National Esports Performance Campus in 2026, Beacon of Light students are in a strong position to be part of an exciting and sustainable future for the region's digital industries.

“This course has opened doors for our students in ways we couldn’t have imagined. It’s about more than gaming; it’s about building confidence, communication and real-world leadership skills. We’re incredibly proud of how our students have thrown themselves into the opportunity and how it showcases everything Beacon of Light stands for as a school.”

- Kim Newby, Careers and Post-16 Lead

As we mark International Youth Day, Beacon of Light stands as a reminder that when young people are empowered with the right skills and support, there's no limit to what they can achieve, for themselves, their communities and the future they will help build.