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RiseUp & Own Your Story: Empowering Element Students to Become the Heroes of Their Own Journey

We are delighted to be back from the Christmas break and to have our students returning, refreshed and ready for the term ahead across both our primary and secondary sites. This part of the year is always an exciting time, full of new opportunities for growth and learning  and this term we are especially thrilled to introduce something new and inspiring for our secondary students.

This January, The Element is launching a powerful new programme for our Year 10 students: RiseUp & Own Your Story. Delivered by RiseUp CIC and led by their Founder and CEO, Ashleigh Nugent, the course will support students to build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of who they are — and who they want to become.

A course built around the Hero’s Journey

The RiseUp & Own Your Story course runs over twelve sessions and is inspired by the Hero’s Journey – a storytelling structure used in many of the world’s most famous films, books, and myths. The idea is simple but transformational: every person has a story, and with the right tools, we can all overcome challenges and move towards the best version of ourselves.

Through the programme, students will explore how to:

  • Own their story – recognising their experiences, voices and strengths
  • Control their state – understanding and managing thoughts and emotions
  • Chart their path to success – setting goals and taking purposeful action

Along the way, they will develop strategies to deal with setbacks, avoid unnecessary conflict, and get the most out of school, relationships, and life beyond The Element.

Learning from lived experience

The course will be led by Ashleigh Nugent, an award-winning author and qualified therapist who brings both professional expertise and powerful lived experience. Ashleigh has spoken openly about his own journey through ADHD, bullying, racism, police harassment and the Criminal Justice System. From having no qualifications at 21, he is now completing a PhD in English Literature.

RiseUp have delivered similar courses for over a decade in schools, pupil referral units and prisons, achieving life-changing results for many participants. The Element is proud to bring that experience and impact to our students.

Creativity at the heart of the programme

Each session will blend personal development with creativity. Ashleigh will be joined by visiting artists from a range of disciplines, including:

  • drama
  • poetry
  • crafts
  • music
  • digital arts

Students will also receive an interactive course manual to support reflection and reinforce key learning between sessions.

A spectacular final performance

The programme will culminate in a 360-degree digital projection performance, produced in partnership with Focal Studios. This immersive finale will showcase artworks created by students during the course and will trace the twelve steps of the Hero’s Journey.

This celebration will not only highlight students’ creativity but also the personal growth they have experienced throughout the programme.

Who is taking part?

RiseUp will be working with two mixed-gender, mixed-ability Year 10 groups with both groups completing twelve two-hour sessions beginning this week.

We’re excited for the term ahead and proud to be partnering with RiseUp CIC on this inspiring programme. We can’t wait to see our students own their stories, build their confidence, and step into their futures as heroes of their own lives.