Pledge 6: Take part in a formal presentation to an audience   Ideas: presenting work to a class or year group, running a session for a club or society, speaking about the achievements of your sports team, making a speech in assembly or at an Academy event, creating a presentation about a school trip or experience How will you benefit from completing this pledge? Standing up in front of an audience can be nerve-wracking but it will leave you with a sense of pride that you have accomplished something that is challenging at any age. Completing this pledge will improve your confidence and communication skills which will be useful throughout life. By enhancing your ability to articulate your ideas, you prepare yourself for further study and the world of work.

Pledge 7: Be actively involved in an international experience   Ideas: MFL department events, writing to a pen pal, raising money for the KB classroom in Africa, preparing aid boxes to be sent abroad, going on an international school visit How will you benefit from completing this pledge? This pledge is guaranteed to open your mind to a world of opportunity. From writing a letter to visiting a different country, communication is key in completing this task but confidence and cooperation also feature highly. You will be able to use your involvement in these activities to support applications in the future; having international awareness is important and this will set you apart from other candidates. This pledge may even spark a passion for a new hobby or inspire you to plan your future travels; the world is your oyster!

Pledge 8: Be actively involved in a community experience Ideas: support the running of a community event such as a school fair, remembrance day parade, guides/scouts/cadets event, volunteering at a care home for the elderly, helping out at a school or nursery, volunteering at the RSPCA or local dogs’ home, working with the elderly.   How will you benefit from completing this pledge? Completing this pledge is a fantastic opportunity to get involved and give something back to our community. It will test your ability to be responsible, reliable and enthusiastic and will leave you with a sense of pride that you have supported those around you. This pledge is even more relevant to those pursuing a career in a caring profession such as medicine, child care or midwifery or those wanting to work in a people-facing role such as customer service, sales or coaching.

Pledge 9: Participate in a fundraising event in the Academy   Ideas: sponsored run/swim/silence, helping run a bake sale, supporting the chocolate raffle, completing a readathon, organising a non-uniform day How will you benefit from completing this pledge? Organising or participating in fundraising events provides challenge but also the opportunity to be creative, cooperative and resilient. It will develop your organisational skills and may involve calculating costs and profits which will hugely enhance your CV. This pledge encourages you to ‘give something back’; this could be to a cause you feel passionate about or it may be for a charity linked to your future ambitions (e.g. MacMillan for a student wishing to be involved in health care). However you choose to target your efforts, this pledge not only benefits you, but also provides for people in need in our community or further afield.

Pledge 10: Contribute towards the sustainability of the Academy   Ideas: playing an active part the whole-school, sports or eco council, recycling in the Academy, supporting lower school students with reading, improving your reading age by 24 months in one year, supporting the maintenance of the school building/grounds How will you benefit from completing this pledge? Sustainability is about creating and supporting projects that contribute to the long-term future of our Academy. By focussing on environmental sustainability (working to ensure our school contributes as little as possible to global warming and the depletion of natural resources) you will be supporting a global issue. Even small-scale progress can have huge impacts in the long-term.

Pledge 11: Participate in twenty hours of work-discovery, enterprise or careers-related activity   Ideas: meeting a careers advisor, taking part in an enterprise project, visiting a careers fair, attending a college/university event or open evening, completing work experience, taking part in options workshops How will you benefit from completing this pledge? Knowledge of the opportunities available to you when you leave school is vital when making decisions about your future. By taking part in work-discovery or careers events you gain a greater understanding of your choices and you may learn about pathways you did not know were available. Work experience and enterprise projects enhance your CV, demonstrating that you have the skills employers are looking for. Completing this pledge ensures you are clued-up on your options and provides space for you to explore these avenues.

How do I achieve a Pledge badge? Completing pledges will lead to you being awarded pledge badges.   Bronze badge - Completion of 4 Pledges. Silver badge - Completion of 6 Pledges. Gold badge - Completion of 8 Pledges. Platinum badge - Completion of 11 Pledges. You must make sure that you get your tutor to sign your pledge passport after providing of you completing the pledge. Evidence can be provided in the form of photos, certificates or staff witnesses from the event.