For a third consecutive year, Cowshed has partnered with Willows’ High School and Saatchi & Saatchi to deliver Upriser, a seven-year initiative that gives young people aged 11-18 at the school, the opportunity to explore the creative industries through real-world experiences and workshops. Willows High School is currently the only school in Wales to benefit from the Upriser scheme.
Designed alongside pupils and staff, Upriser gives young people the opportunity to build confidence and develop their skills in the creative industries through real-world experiences and workshops.
As well as mentoring pupils during school visits, one of the highlights of this year’s programme was welcoming students from Willows into Cowshed HQ to work alongside the team for the day, gaining experience of agency life.
Working with our engagement, creative, campaigns and PR teams, pupils took part in workshops linked directly to their studies.
From exploring gender representation in the media with Media students to content production with English students, each workshop helped students realise that the skills they learn in the classroom can lead to exciting career opportunities in the future.
One teacher shared: “I had the opportunity to accompany both Year 8 and Year 9 students on the trip to Cowshed’s office, and it was fantastic to witness the experience firsthand. The session was exceptionally well planned, with a clear focus on nurturing pupils’ creativity while keeping them fully engaged throughout.”
The learning didn’t stop there. Throughout the year, our Press Gang group continued to grow. Led by our Campaign Manager Elle Cretney and Senior PR Officer Matthaus Bridge, this year’s sessions focused on supporting Year 10 Media students with their final project, helping them develop their interviewing and writing skills to confidently produce exceptional results.
Pupils also took part in masterclasses on content creation and storytelling, explored creative ways to use Cymraeg across the school and in the workplace, and experienced agency life during our Willows Apprentice Day. Inspired by the hit TV show The Apprentice, pupils worked in teams to tackle a live creative brief, pitch their ideas and discover who had what it takes to hear the words, “You’re hired!”
To round off the year, we worked with pupils to produce the Year 11 prom video, capturing a milestone they’ll remember for years to come. We also launched the first Cowshed Photography Award as part of the school’s Eisteddfod. This year’s theme, ‘What Wales Means to Me’, encouraged pupils to tell their own stories through photography, celebrating the creativity and talent found across the school.
Every activity throughout the year had one goal: to give young people the confidence to have a go, think creatively and see that there is a place for them within the creative industries.
“Willows High School is very appreciative to the Cowshed team for working with us again,” said Kimberly Williams, a teacher at Willows High School. “We are the only school in Wales to benefit from the Upriser scheme, so we are incredibly grateful and the students are very lucky to have this work experience before they begin their careers.”
“It’s clear to see that the students of Willows really enjoy and feel they benefit from working with us, and we love working with them too. We have learnt so much from working with their inspiring future creative talent. From what we can see, the creative industries in Wales, will be in safe hands!” said Ashrah Suudy, Senior Community Engagement Officer.
A huge thank you to the pupils and staff at Willows High School for another brilliant year. We can’t wait to see what Year 4 of Upriser brings.
