Promoting Independence through Student Leadership Gordano School Gavin Ball Sophie Francis

Gordano – the context

Personalisation and a changing curriculum 2 Year Development Stage – SATs taken in Year 8 3 Year Personalisation Stage – GCSEs in Year 10 or 11 My PM – enrichment programme – Wednesday afternoons Year 7 following My PM course Year 7 and 8 involved

My PM Gordano Learning Language – Leading your life; Making a contribution –Thinking skills –Learning skills –Global citizenship –International Links –Team Building skills –Independent research –Creative activities –Enquiring Minds –Communication skills –PSHE –Wider language experience –Music –JSLA –Cross curricular challenges

Leading Edge – The Way Forward Move away from micro-projects Work towards embedding innovative LE practice into classrooms throughout the school Creation of a ‘Thinking School’

National Programme 8: Developing staff and student leadership to raise achievement

Student Leadership Year 7 YLA (Young Leader’s Award) - 3 week course – 1 theory and 2 practical lessons Leadership qualities explored Pupils to lead a small group of younger children in a sports festival in July Year 8 Pupils will take a coaching course Year 9 JSLA (Junior Sport’s Leader Award) will become an option in core PE (nationally accredited to allow pupils to coach 5-11 yr olds in certain activities)

What the pupils say ‘I really enjoyed Sports Leadership. It was one of my favourites.’ ‘I was really excited about being involved with the award.’ ‘I think it will benefit me by showing me how to be a leader and how to lead people.’

Student Leadership Teams The ethos Students to take a lead role in initiating, organising and managing whole school development Increase students’ abilities to work independently and think for themselves Prepare students for future

Student Leadership Teams Technology Teaching and Learning Student Welfare Environment

Technology Vodcast revision materials Organisation for independent film company to produce online video prospectus Gaming Software Progress and Development

Teaching and Learning Learning Detective team trained by county advisor QCA Student Voice Panel G&T students working with G&T coordinators and staff Progress and Development

Student Welfare Health and Fitness Team – reduced rates for students at leisure centre Climbing Team - received funding for new climbing wall Counselling Team – counselling system for all year groups Mercury Newspaper Team – material for local press Progress and Development

Environment Recycling Team Solar Panel Project Eco-School Status Team – aim for Eco School’s Bronze Award by Aug 2008 and Green Flag by 2009/10 Progress and Development

Involvement 11 teams involving students from four different year groups Team leaders and deputies have run meetings; organised teams; made formal presentations to governors and senior members of staff Student Leadership Teams

What the pupils say