BUILDING STUDENTS PART 1: GUIDANCE, LEADERSHIP, AND MENTORSHIP BEYOND THE JUMP

Building students doesn’t stop at learning how to jump, vault, or land. True development is about guidance, leadership, and mentorship that extends far beyond the movement itself.

Jamie Murray started classes with us in Year 6 (age 11) and has continued right through to today. He is currently in Year 13 (age 18) and about to begin university. Four years ago, Jamie joined the coaching team as a youth assistant.

As part of the team, Jamie has coached students in three local schools across Sydenham and Forest Hill, as well as at outdoor sessions and classes held in the local youth and community centre. He assists with coaching both parkour and acrobatics, supporting students at every stage of their development.

Just Like a Paper Round

When I was 14, I had my first part-time job. I worked in a local shop, and later, at 16, I worked in a factory. Some of you may have had paper rounds, and perhaps a few lucky ones even had acting or modelling jobs.

For context:

• In the UK, 14-year-olds can work up to 12 hours per week during term time (2 hours on school days and Sundays, 5 hours on Saturdays). They cannot work during school hours or before 7am or after 7pm.

• A 16-year-old, once past compulsory school age, can generally work up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, with limits on night work and mandatory breaks.

Of course, before offering any opportunity to join the team, we always speak to parents and gain their permission.

Classes Train More Than Parkour Techniques

One of the things we care deeply about is ensuring individuals develop essential life skills. Yes, our classes teach parkour techniques, bodyweight training, and even weightlifting. But what we are really training is mindset.

Through our classes, students develop:

• Focus and listening skills

• Patience

• The ability to take critical feedback

• The ability to follow instructions

• Personal responsibility (uniform, gradings, attendance)

• Emotional regulation — especially when facing “the jump”

You might be surprised how many adults I recruit who lack many of these skills. The reality is that people do not automatically gain soft skills just by reaching a certain age. These skills must be trained deliberately and consistently.

Recruitment Process

There are many ways we recruit team members, including adults who have never been our students. However, this article focuses on our internal development system.

To qualify for the opportunity, students must:

• Achieve Elite Status (90%+)

• Have a discussion involving parents and gain their permission

• Write a CV

• Attend an interview — where they must run a class

To become elite within our system, students must consistently score over 90% in gradings and demonstrate an outstanding sports attitude.

A great sports attitude means:

• A positive, “can-do” mindset

• Respect for the coach

• A healthy relationship with failure (get back up and try again)

• The ability to work as part of a team

• The willingness to take correction

  
  

Once these criteria are met, we ask the student if they are interested and then speak with their parents. We usually send parents a job specification so expectations are clear.

Students then write a CV — often for the very first time — followed by an interview where they lead a class. This allows us to see their natural strengths, confidence, and any areas for development. Sometimes students surprise themselves; other times, it helps them understand just how challenging it can be to be on the other side of the class.