H
undreds of pupils at Oakham School take part in an extensive ‘Voluntary Action’ programme, helping to give something back to the local community. Each week boys and girls are out and about doing voluntary work in local primary schools, working with the elderly, volunteering in charity shops, even going into a local prison and helping groups like Riding for the Disabled. “The list of activities is really wide ranging and it has come about because we have very well-established relationships with so many local organisations”, explains Oakham School’s Head of Voluntary Action, Mr Cameron Pauls. “It also benefits our pupils in many different ways. Taking part in the Voluntary Action programme allows students to give something back to the local community and, in doing so, to gain experience and become a more responsible and compassionate person.” Twice each year the Oakham School pupils who join Voluntary Action take part in special ‘Service Weekends’. The highlights include spring and autumn parties for the elderly, revamping a children’s playground, creating an eco-friendly garden at a local primary school and carrying out renovations at The Rutland Railway Museum. “Our pupils also help out in local nursery schools for pre-school age children and at The Parks School for Children with Special Needs; they help with swimming and work as classroom assistants. Other pupils get special training to become hospital visitors and they go into the Rutland Memorial Hospital Day Centre.” Sixth Form pupils run a visitors’ café at Stocken Prison whilst other groups work outdoors helping with gardening and conservation projects or helping those with physical disabilities learn to sail on Rutland Water. “For our pupils the benefits are considerable. They learn a lot about themselves and they often experience situations which help shape what they want to do once they leave school. It’s life changing in lots of ways.” When Uppingham School’s new multi-million pound sports centre opened to the general public this year, it became the latest facility of the school that can be enjoyed by local people and created an opportunity for the school to contribute to its community. Other community activities which develop life skills include pupils helping in the town’s Age Concern shop, taking part in litter collections, assisting Riding for the Disabled
Uppingham School Sports Centre
and at Sunday schools, by giving lunchtime recitals at the parish church and by helping run some of the local Brownies, Guides, Beavers and Cubs units. As part of the School’s provision of an ‘all-round education’ for its pupils, life skills are regarded as most important within the curriculum. Topics explored include road safety and safe driving, careers and interview techniques, fund-raising and organisation management. In the summer pupils in the Lower Sixth form will take part in a skills’ week programme after their AS-level exams. Within this programme they will have the opportunity to take part in courses on mediation, financial management, living and cooking on a budget, and basic car maintenance amongst other things. Leicester High School for Girls has always supported local and national charities and the Junior Department alone has raised over £3,200 this year, which equates to £30 per pupil. Laura Fowler, the new Head of the Junior Department explains, “It is vital for the girls’ development as citizens to have an understanding of the different people in the world and the distinct needs they have.” The girls support local charities such as Rainbows Hospice; visitors from these charities visit the school and regularly give talks in assemblies to enhance the link. The girls then begin truly to recognise the work of different charities and how they are indispensable to many families. There is also a growing awareness of national charities such as the NSPCC and The Poppy Appeal which support people across the UK, and international charities. In 2010-11 the girls continued their support of ACET (African Children’s Education Trust) and responded to the Pakistan Flood Disaster by supporting the work of UNICEF. The school believes that it empowers the girls to know that their fundraising efforts can make a difference in the world and
that their ideas for supporting new charities will always be considered. Pupils at Oundle School follow a full Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) curriculum to help them to make healthy, informed and considered choices as they grow up. As well as important personal, social and health topics for a growing adolescent, such as puberty, sex and relationships, alcohol and drugs, the programme also focuses on areas that enhance life skills, and ensure a proper balance in life. Pupils follow a range of topics including the subject of community relations, work/ life balance, safe and sensible use of the internet and money management as well as discussing discrimination, workload management and prioritising skills, safe driving and how to deal with common health issues. This course enhances the quality of an all-round Oundle education and provides the opportunities for emerging adults to address issues of greater significance in their lives. The programme evolves and develops every year. Plans for next year include introducing aspects of dealing with depression in the family, stress-relieving strategies, and listening skills for older pupils. Current Prefects feel that this programme creates an open and comfortable environment in which to ‘break the ice’ on bigger issues.
Change of name for Northamptonshire Grammar School From 1 September 2011 Northamptonshire Grammar School will become Pitsford School. The new name comes from the school’s base at Pitsford Hall, once home to the Drummond family. Also past pupils have always been known as Old Pitsfordians. The change has been timed to coincide with the building of a £2,000,000, purpose built, state-of-the-art Junior School, a significant feeder for the Senior School. With building work already well under way the new Junior School is due to open in February 2012.
RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING September 2011
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