School Leadership Award
An established programme of support for exceptional young scholars
The School Leadership Award is one of Rank’s earliest programmes. It has supported almost 1,500 young people through their education, since 1978.
We give financial assistance to a select group of students in Sixth Forms across chosen state and independent schools. They are identified by their head teachers as possessing exceptional leadership potential, and whose families face financial hardship. Support takes the form of a maintenance grant to support studies after school. Applications for places are made in January of a pupil’s Year 11 (S4 in Scotland).
Award holders attend a leadership event in each of their Sixth Form years and take part in regular online meetings. In each of their summer holidays they spend two weeks working for a not-for-profit organisation, typically one with links to The Rank Foundation.
These Community Action Placements have proven to be remarkable experiences for Award holders. They broaden their understanding of leadership beyond the classroom and expose them to community engagement - often in underprivileged areas.
Through the Leadership Award Rank aims to support exceptional scholars on their leadership and inspire them towards a purposeful life and career.
Award holders complete school, they are invited to join the Fellowship – an alumni network for School Leadership Award holders and others, including those who’ve completed Rank's Time to Shine.
