Young Leader Resources
What's included?
Separate versions of the resources are available for primary and secondary pupils, with activity cards that can be used interchangeably across both.
Each resource pack includes:
- Four ready-to-deliver training presentations: Purpose, Plan, Do and Review
- Teacher guidance and delivery notes
- Interactive activities and group challenges
- Activity cards to help young leaders generate ideas
- Planning templates and safety checklists
- Tools for gathering participant feedback
- Team and self-review templates
- Guidance on adapting activities to make them inclusive for pupils in your school
The Youth Sport Trust Primary and Secondary Young Leader resources provide everything you need to start preparing young people to lead physical activity and active play in your school.
How to use
1. Choose your resources – Download the appropriate resource pack for your school.
2. Recruit your young leaders – Identify a group of young people to take part in the training.
3. Deliver the training – Use the presentations, guidance and interactive activities to work through the four modules.
4. Plan an activity – Help young leaders use the activity cards and templates to develop their first activities.
5. Put it into practice – Support young leaders to deliver their activities and reflect on what they learn.
6. Keep developing – Build on the training with further leadership opportunities across your school.
The resources can be delivered by a teacher, member of support staff or another adult responsible for youth leadership, PE, sport or physical activity in your school.
The primary training is designed for pupils aged 8–11. Each module contains approximately 30 minutes of core learning, with an additional 15–30 minutes of optional activities.
The secondary training is designed for pupils aged 11–14 and follows the same four-stage structure, with greater depth and challenge for older young people.
Modules can be delivered together or separately through lessons, enrichment activities, clubs or dedicated leadership sessions. You can also build on the resources to complement your wider approach to developing young leaders across the school.
Why it works
The training gives young people opportunities to learn through discussion, practical challenges and real leadership experiences.
Young leaders will learn how to:
- Understand their purpose and set personal goals
- Listen to other young people and respond to their needs
- Plan safe and engaging activities
- Communicate clearly and work effectively as a team
- Adapt activities so everyone can participate
- Gather feedback and learn from experience
- Develop transferable skills including confidence, teamwork, communication, resilience and problem-solving.
Developing young people as physical activity leaders can also strengthen your school’s enrichment offer by creating inclusive, peer-led opportunities that encourage more pupils to participate, be active and feel a sense of belonging.
For young leaders themselves, these experiences help build confidence, agency and transferable skills that can support their development both in and beyond school.
Need support?
For help accessing or using these resources, contact the Youth Sport Trust.
Get in Touch