Win a Young People’s Leadership Academy for Your School

We are delighted to share a fantastic opportunity for schools across Scotland.

The Hunter Foundation has launched a national competition inviting Scottish school pupils – both primary and secondary – to share their boldest ideas for Scotland’s future through their ‘If I Ruled Scotland’ competition. The challenge? To creatively express what pupils would change if they were in charge of Scotland!

From climate action to community building, bold ideas often start young – and this competition is designed to celebrate and showcase the creativity, leadership, and vision of Scotland’s pupils.

What You Could Win

  • £5,000 for the winning school
  • £2,500 each for two runners-up
  • And – to celebrate 25 years of Columba 1400, a key Hunter Foundation Partner – we are delighted that the winning school will receive a transformative Young People’s Leadership Academy (YPLA) valued at £30,000.

As part of the prize, pupils will also have the chance to present their ideas on stage at the exclusive Founders Conference at Gleneagles on Friday, 7 November 2025 – a unique opportunity to showcase their vision to Scotland’s leading entrepreneurs and changemakers.

What to Submit

Submissions can take any form – essay, poem, film, artwork, or any other creative medium – and should explore what your school would do if you ran Scotland, including what you would change, why, and how. Content should be no more than two pages in written form or two minutes if it is a video or audio clip. Be as creative as you like – and include how your school would use the £5,000 prize and how you would select pupils to take part in the YPLA.

How to Enter

The closing date for entries is Monday, 22 September 2025. Submissions must be sent by a teacher to [email protected] and include your school’s name, contact email, and phone number.

Find out more details here.

Why This Matters

At Columba 1400, we believe in the power of young people and key adults to lead change together. This competition is a chance for pupils to help shape Scotland’s future.

We can’t wait to see the creativity, leadership, and vision they bring.