Last week students enjoyed another hugely successful PSHE day. There was a heavy focus on democracy, careers and community. Having already decided on their Form Councillors, all year groups took part in a lesson about democracy and why it is important before casting their vote in the polling station set up in the library. To give an authentic feel to the day ballot boxes and signs were borrowed from Stoke City Council and their posters of rules and regulations displayed. Votes have now been counted and members of Haywood Parliament appointed.
In addition, Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 all received some careers advice and information about options. Year 9 entered a national NHS competition, looking at what careers the NHS can offer and Year 11 had a taste of their next steps. Over 100 Year 11 students were at the sixth form sampling A-Level lessons while others were at the academy site working with the employers from the Work Based Learning programme.
A strong community feel was threaded throughout the day with a local speaker from Stoke City Council engaging with students about the importance of strong community links and community cohesion. This was then developed in Years 9 and 10 where students created ‘fiddle cushions’ for local dementia sufferers whilst listening to speakers from the Dementia Society. Year 10 had a visit from a local charity ‘Essentials’. They heard about the plight of local homeless people and the struggle they have for food. They then helped cook soup and heard how this would be a life line for the people it was delivered to.
A team of local nurses came in to work with the lower years and all students in Year 8 worked with dummies in the sports hall to learn basic first aid. Year 7 were developing financial and enterprise skills. They learnt how to set up a business and about the costs and marketing involved.
