A SIXTH form college student proved that he had a head for heights when he took part in a recent leadership course.

George Stokes, 17,who studies at Cirencester Sixth Form College, took full advantage of the Rotary professional leadership development course to further his career prospects.

Cirencester Rotary Club interviewed candidates at all the local secondary schools and sixth form colleges and selected George as someone with leadership potential who would benefit from the course sponsored by all the Rotary clubs in the area.

At a recent presentation to a group of Rotarians and College staff, George recounted how the course had significantly developed his self-confidence.

He illustrated his talk with the example of learning to drive.

He said: “Before I went on the course I was a very nervous learner. After scaling 15 metre climbing frames, undertaking a number of different challenges and leading groups of peers to complete successful outdoor projects, I was ready for anything when I got home.

"My self-confidence had grown so much that needless to say I passed my driving test without a problem. I also secured a retail management trainee place with John Lewis Partners in their Swindon store, where I work part time.”

Cirencester Rotary Club’s head of Youth Development, Mark Wilton commented: “Our Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) programme is based on a programme leading commercial organisations send their executives on. It’s a fantastic development opportunity for young people in our town to participate in."

He added: "We take great care selecting those candidates we think will get most benefit from it and George has grabbed it with both hands making the most of the opportunity we’ve given him. We and the College are very pleased for him and hope that what he learned will continue to benefit him throughout his early career”.

To learn more visit ciren-rotary.org.uk