The National Citizen Service is in the news. Since 2011, over 300,000 16- to 17-years-old have participated in the scheme. It is intended as a ‘rite of passage’ for young people and lead to a more cohesive, responsible and engaged society. NCS usually takes place over four consecutive weeks and involves groups of 12 to 15 young people undertaking together: an outdoor residential course to improve team building skills; a residential course to learn life skills and prepare for independent living; and a community project, such as planting a communal garden.

Those participating have overwhelmingly found it very positive. For example a survey shows that 70 per cent of them feel more confident about getting jobs in the future as a result. But the Public Accounts Committee has noted that the cost of courses (largely paid for by the taxpayer) are high compared to those by the scouts and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

One problem is that the NCS has places that are not filled. This seems to me a great missed opportunity.

Some of our local schools are not taken any places at all. A search of the NCS website shows the following:

The Hurlingham Academy
10 young people took part in NCS
That’s 12.20% of your eligible students in 2016

Fulham Cross Girls’ School and Language College
12 young people took part in NCS
That’s 9.80% of your eligible students in 2016

Fulham College Boys’ School
It looks like we have no NCS participants allocated to your school.

Lady Margaret School
28 young people took part in NCS
That’s 12.90% of your eligible students in 2016

Sacred Heart High School
44 young people took part in NCS
That’s 16.50% of your eligible students in 2016

The London Oratory School
13 young people took part in NCS
That’s 3.60% of your eligible students in 2016

West London Free School
23 young people took part in NCS
That’s 19.20% of your eligible students in 2016

Hammersmith Academy
7 young people took part in NCS
That’s 3.60% of your eligible students in 2016

Young Dancers Academy
1 young people took part in NCS

Chelsea Independent College
It looks like we have no NCS participants allocated to your school.

William Morris Sixth Form
5 young people took part in NCS
That’s 1.00% of your eligible students in 2016

Ark Burlington Danes Academy
14 young people took part in NCS
That’s 4.90% of your eligible students in 2016

St James Senior Girls’ School
5 young people took part in NCS

Phoenix High School
6 young people took part in NCS
That’s 2.20% of your eligible students in 2016

St Paul’s Girls’ School
7 young people took part in NCS

The Godolphin and Latymer School
4 young people took part in NCS

Latymer Upper School
8 young people took part in NCS

I hope that schools and parents will encourage more to sign up.