Ipswich School Leavers' Challenge 2021

THE LEAVERS’ CHALLENGE 2021

INTRODUCTION TO THE LEAVERS’ CHALLENGE In this most extraordinary year, we want to give our Leavers the best possible send off.

In the fortnight that follows summer assessments, you will join us for a completely bespoke programme of continued learning, but also fun and celebration.

Your academic experience will bear no resemblance to your current timetable; it is specifically designed to prepare you for the lectures and tutorials of undergraduate study, with freedom to choose from a wide range of synoptic themes.

Conscious of so many missed opportunities, we have also included an element of ‘Challenge’, working in teams through a carousel of relevant life skills, physical challenges and Leavers events, bringing in the expertise of OIs, senior leaders, a visiting speaker and a trip to the University of Suffolk.

Importantly, though, our Leavers’ Challenge will start and finish with FUN! With so much difficulty behind us, we are delighted to offer you much to look forward to.

Mr Cliff and the Sixth Form Team

LEAVERS’ CHALLENGE TIMETABLE 0900

1045

MONDAY 24 MAY

1115

Please note that all academic options and other timetabled activities may be subject to change

1245

1400

1545 END

AWAY DAY - ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITY

TUESDAY 25 MAY

A

ACADEMIC STUDY

WEDNESDAY 26 MAY

B

ACADEMIC STUDY

THURSDAY 27 MAY

C

ACADEMIC STUDY

FRIDAY 28 MAY

D

ACADEMIC STUDY

CHALLENGE ACTIVITIES

UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLK VISIT

MONDAY 7 JUNE

E

ACADEMIC STUDY

CHALLENGE ACTIVITIES

VISITING SPEAKER

TUESDAY 8 JUNE

F

ACADEMIC STUDY

WEDNESDAY 9 JUNE

G

ACADEMIC STUDY

THURSDAY 10 JUNE

H

ACADEMIC STUDY

FRIDAY 11 JUNE

LEAVERS’ DAY

CHALLENGE ACTIVITIES

CHALLENGE ACTIVITIES CHALLENGE ACTIVITIES

LUNCH

CHALLENGE ACTIVITIES

SPORT

LUNCH

BREAK

BREAK

CHALLENGE ACTIVITIES

CHALLENGE ACTIVITIES BBQ, END OF DAY

LEAVERS’ OCCASIONAL ACTIVITIES

SPORT LEAVERS’ OCCASIONAL ACTIVITIES

DAY 1 - AWAY DAY We kick off, on the first day back from exams, by getting away from it all.

We can't promise you the surfing of North Devon, but we promise to get as close as possible to those adventurous activities that we missed in 2020.

Imagine high ropes, kayaking, archery, floating obstacle courses and paddle boarding. By the end of the day we hope any exam stresses will have been long forgotten!

DAYS 2-9: ACADEMIC STUDY Session 1 0900-1045 You will be prepared for undergraduate study by experiencing a different style of learning.

Teachers have volunteered their own personal and professional passions, preparing 100min sessions that are designed to follow the lecture and tutorial model of undergraduate study.

Without being chained to an A Level specification, teachers can be truly synoptic, bringing subjects together in the 12 faculty groups shown here.

You have almost complete freedom to choose eight sessions, one for each of A-H in the timetable on page 2.

You are encouraged to deliberately think beyond your current A Levels or future degree course, remembering that Junior Honours courses require such breadth.

Choices will be made in Week 1 of the Summer Term.

Subject Choices Natural Sciences Medicine and Sport Science Creative Arts Psychology and Criminology Engineering Finance and Business

Politics and History Modern languages, culture and literature Maths and Computing English Literature Classics and Theology Geography

DAYS 2-9: CHALLENGE ACTIVITIES Session 2 1115-1245

This is something we’re really excited about. Between Break and Lunch, you will work in mixed groups on a wide range of life skills relevant to you now and in the near future.

DAY 10 LEAVERS’ DAY A special occasion every year! After bacon baps and pastries in the Sixth Form Centre, you will follow a busy programme of inter-House fun... in fancy dress, of course!

You will cook and eat your own lunch, learning from a trained nutritionist about healthy, quick and cheap student cooking; you will have an ‘exit interview’ with the Headmaster; meet an Old Ipswichian who is currently a Year 2 or 3 undergraduate; look ahead to a healthy Freshers Week and attend sessions on managing your finances; student first aid, and interview skills.

Tug-o’-war, inflatable assault course, team challenges and the annual House talent show all happen before the global premiere (!) of the 2021 Leavers’ Video.

Year Books, hoodies.... and usually a few tears! We end with a BBQ lunch before saying farewell (but certainly not goodbye).

And Mr Ross has promised to get you to Notcutts for the rifle range!

Challenge Activities Student Cooking Personal Safety Student First Aid Interview Skills

Finance and Freshers Range and Teamwork Meet an OI and the Headmaster Dragons’ Den

DAYS 2-9: AFTERNOON OPTIONS Session 3 1400-1545

On one afternoon we have a visiting speaker followed by break-out groups.

This is a whole year commitment on the course; thereafter you have more flexibility, but with a wide range of options to choose from, including an early finish if you wish.

Tuesday Sport and Thursday Activities will run as normal. On one afternoon we hope

to offer a visit to the University of Suffolk, giving you early insight into a university library, lecture theatre, halls of residence and other facilities.

There will be time available to work on your House talent show piece, and we know some students are keen to work on their own ideas in the Music Faculty, or Drama (by arrangement).

And we’re launching this year what may become an annual Leavers’ tradition, a bespoke edition of the Occasional dedicated solely to your year group, written by you, for you. Budding journalists will have time to put this together.