EDUCATION
Pupils at Stoke College, meanwhile, are encouraged to debate news and issues in order to give them a sense of what’s actually happening beyond the school bubble. They’re encouraged to express their own views: to disagree, respectfully, with peers and even teachers. “We want students to learn how to articulate their feelings effectively,” insists Omar Khan, head of boarding. When it comes to equipping pupils with an armoury of talents to help them excel in life after school, it’s not simply academic studies that matter. A holistic view is crucial, whether that involves workplace training or college. “As industries evolve and new
roles continue to emerge, it is important students’ learning equips them with the skills and attributes they need to face uncertain, complex and ambiguous workplaces,” says Leanne Gibbons, assistant principal and head of CP programme, Impington International College. Impington offers the International Baccalaureate diploma programme (DP) and career-related programme (CP) to its students, with a holistic approach that ‘goes beyond academic success and develops students equipped
ART AND SCIENCE Gresham’s (above) and The Perse (left) both understand the importance of STEAM
to navigate a globalised, technologically dependent world’, she explains. Weekly activities are part of every single Impington International College student’s agenda of studies and include volunteering, physical activity and creative pursuits – things that ‘enable students to showcase the skills and attributes universities and employers are looking for’, describes Leanne. Partnerships with organisations ranging from Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Royal Papworth Hospital to Norwich City Football Club ensure that sixth formers “have access to high- quality, practical experience alongside the academic rigour of the DP to prepare them to progress into apprenticeships, higher education or employment,” continues Leanne. “Our relationships with local organisations enable the college to offer a robust programme of work experience to our year 10 and year 12 students, too.” At Stoke College, Omar Khan agrees that academic success remains hugely important – and it’s something that ‘the school really takes pride in’, he enthuses. The school also puts a huge amount of effort into adding activities and initiatives designed to add to pupils’ lives at school and beyond. Yes, your academic results may get you that interview – but it’s all about how you conduct yourself once you’re there, Omar points out. So it’s about helping students to develop ‘in every way possible, and providing that holistic approach’, he notes. Students’ participation in school life will get a further boost with the revamp of the Stoke College Diploma. Successful completion requires a year’s participation in a minimum of three contrasting clubs a week – which counts towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award – and once achieved, it records exactly what each individual has contributed.
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