Be Future Ready
INTRODUCTION
The art of a great school is to help young people enjoy a brilliant, invigorating and uplifting period of their lives, whilst preparing them for a challenging and uncertain world. The imperative of the latter cannot override the joy of the former.
With PEAKS, we meet this challenge through a programme of leadership, wellbeing and future skills that runs throughout the Senior School and complements the broad education that we offer every day.
The development of PEAKS is as much a labour of love as an educational initiative. It crystallises the expertise, experience and passion of many across our school community into an essential whole.
Our intent is always to provide and inspire opportunity, so that our students leave AKS with the ability and inclination to change their worlds for the better. That is the reason for PEAKS, and the reason we are excited to share it with you.
David Harrow, Headmaster
We need to be future-ready. This belief runs through the fabric of AKS and inspired the creation of PEAKS.
PEAKS is homegrown and reflects what we believe about education and how we can give our students the best opportunity to thrive in the world to come. It is rooted in our values and shaped by our vision for the future.
For some time, we have been shaping and refining this approach, not only asking why it matters, but working hard on how we make it real. This has given us the confidence and experience to bring it together and to articulate it clearly, knowing that its impact can already be seen within the school.
The spark has always been there, in the magic of each student discovering who they are and what they can achieve. With PEAKS, we are making sure that every student, in every year group, can experience that magic. This is how we help them be truly future ready.
Faye Marland, Assistant Head (Student and Staff Development)
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
An Introduction to PEAKS
Education goes beyond academic success. It is no longer just about what students know or can do: it is about who they are, and who they are becoming.
PEAKS is our bespoke framework for character education and future-ready skills. It equips students to lead and serve, to care for their own wellbeing and that of others, and to develop the skills of inquiry, oracy, and digital literacy, futureproofing them for a world that won’t wait.
From Year 7 to Year 13, it guides students on a structured journey of pursuing excellence whilst cultivating the values and abilities essential to thrive both now and in the future.
Excellence is not a fixed point but a continuing journey. Through PEAKS, students are encouraged to strive for their personal best, growing in confidence, character, and capability at every stage of school life. Students establish these habits and carry them forward into lives of contribution and purpose.
Cornerstone 1: LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE
Leadership begins with the ability to lead yourself.
Students start by cultivating confidence and reflection. They learn to explore their strengths, set goals, and track progress. In turn, they develop their self-awareness, goal-setting, motivation, and time management.
Students also become aware of their support networks and cultivate self-worth, optimism, and resilience, foundations that underpin effective self-leadership.
Students then extend their leadership to their peers. Adventurous experiences allow them to practise guiding others, supporting classmates, and stepping up in challenging situations.
By reflecting on their values and engaging in everyday leadership, they gain confidence, develop influence, and learn to collaborate and act responsibly in all situations.
In time, they take on greater responsibility, beginning with leading teams. They coordinate projects, support co-curricular activities, and lead societies before applying for whole-school leadership roles.
Through meaningful service, ranging from school to national and international projects, students develop perspective, empathy and a broader understanding of the world.
“Leadership is a habit of service. At AKS, students learn to lead by helping others.”
Cornerstone 2: MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Wellbeing enables students to fully engage with their learning and the opportunities around them.
Personal growth and achievement depend on self-understanding and building the emotional resilience needed to thrive.
AKS has held the Wellbeing in Schools Award since 2022. This recognises the culture of care, attention, and commitment that defines our community. It is not a checklist, but a waypoint that holds us accountable and ensures our practices continue to evolve.
Our approach is proactive. We aim to prevent or limit difficulties from arising while providing effective support when challenges do arise.
Through a multi-layered framework, students begin by building healthy habits, including sleep, nutrition, and routines that sustain mental and physical health.
Mental health is discussed openly, and students are encouraged to recognise when they are not feeling themselves and to access the support that best meets their needs.
Staff are highly attuned to subtle changes in wellbeing and provide timely guidance.
This may involve recommending VENT, our peer-to-peer, student-led support network, or making referrals to SHINE, our specialist mental health and wellbeing partners.
Whether through everyday conversations, targeted interventions, or external expertise, students will feel valued, supported and empowered at every stage.
“Wellbeing is not an extra, it is the foundation on which learning and growth depend.”
Cornerstone 3: FUTURE-PROOFING
Future-proofing equips students to navigate a complex and changing world with confidence and purpose.
Knowledge alone is not enough: students also need the skills, adaptability, and mindset to thrive amongst whatever challenges the future may bring.
We embed the skills of inquiry, oracy, and digital literacy, ensuring students stand out for their curiosity, creativity, and ability to think critically.
Co-curricular Fair (SOCS) Sorting House Ceremony
The BIG Picture (L2L) Tour Guide Training PEAKS DAY 1 (HERITAGE & IDENTITY) OPEN DAY (TOUR GUIDES) Digital Literacy Skills Introduced Devices handed out Inquiry Project begins... (L2L) Rugby Tour (Boys) Study Skills TJ Power & DOSE Service Projects 7A 7K 7S Poetry by Heart EVENING of INQUIRY (ASK) Hockey Tour (Girls) Exam Preparation (L2L) Soap Days
Y7 Residential WOW DAY (2026)
INQUIRY, ORACY AND DIGITAL LITERACY
Using the Framework of Skills for Inquiry Learning (FOSIL), students explore meaningful questions, draw on a wide range of sources, evaluate the credibility of information, organise and interpret their findings, and share their ideas with purpose, clarity and confidence.
Our first Evening of Oracy was held in 2024. Students developed and showcased their presentation skills while discussing what the world could look like by 2030, and how they will need to adapt.
Digital literacy features at every stage, so that students can navigate and utilise technology effectively, ethically, and safely. They are empowered to take ownership of their futures, and to contribute meaningfully to the communities and industries they will join.
Future dedicated PEAKS Days will feature in-depth explorations of inquiry, oracy, and digital literacy, bringing these three elements together to help develop mastery.
“AKS students leave ready to navigate whatever challenges the future holds, equipped with the skills, confidence, and resilience to shape their own world and make a meaningful difference in it.”
PEAKS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
From Year 7 to Year 13
The Evening of Inquiry for Year 7
The Evening of Oracy for Year 8
Two-day Enterprise Soap Challenge for Year 7
Debating Skills for Year 7-9
Leadership Residential for Year 9
“While events like these celebrate achievement, the foundation is built each day across the curriculum. Skills are refined and reinforced so they can become habits.”
The Evening of Inquiry for Year 12
Commando Experience for Year 10
Present a Lunchtime Lecture for Year 13
Digital Inquiry Project for Year 12
PEAKS Plus is the summit of the journey.
Sixth Form students apply the skills, values, and habits they have built during their time at AKS. In PEAKS Plus, they take these further, leading whole-school projects, taking initiative, and making purposeful decisions.
They embrace opportunities to communicate effectively, to collaborate and to manage themselves with independence. They explore new interests and take full ownership of their learning and actions.
At their peak, students prepare to step confidently into higher education, the workplace, and wider society as capable, thoughtful, and future-ready individuals.
Vent House Captain Prefect
LEADERSHIP
PEAKS Plus Sessions YOUR FUTURE Theme:
INQUIRY Project begins Alternative Pathway
Study Skills Cornell Method
Digital Inquiry Alumni Speakers
Tycoons
Morrisbys Preparing to Drive
PEAKS Plus Sessions PEAKS Plus Sessions
Theme: Theme:
EMPLOYABILITY WHO ARE YOU?
Big Build Opportunity
PEAKS Plus Sessions
Theme:
EVENING of INQUIRY
Lead a Society Apply to be Head/Deputy Head Student
Linked In AI Brand Yourself
African Adventure Service Project
Financial Literacy Sessions
PEAKS Plus Sessions
Theme:
RELATIONSHIP AND SEX EDUCATION UCAS GUIDANCE
