We want all of our students to feel motivated and inspired to excel and aspire in all aspects of their life. We want them to excel at being a model citizen – with all the skills and attributes needed to lead a happy and productive life. We also want them to aspire to greatness in their future careers – taking pride in wanting to better themselves and aim to be the best that they can be.
The aim of the ‘Excel and Aspire’ programme is to ensure we prepare and support students to fulfil their potential, prepare them for lifelong learning and help them to become successful global 21st Century citizens. The custom curriculum identifies the range of skills, knowledge and understanding that all students need to develop fully over the full five years at Byrchall. This range of learning needs has been carefully mapped to identify opportunities for students to achieve each aim and demonstrate the extent of their understanding.
It is not about qualifications; it is about the development of the individual. We want all our students to understand that this is equally as important as their academic qualifications.
We have tried to bring all the aspects of personal development under one heading. Hopefully this will make the message and the impact stronger. We want to increase engagement from students and help them recognise the importance of this personal development. The Excel and Aspire programme brings together the following aspects:
The 21st Century Citizen
Our aim is to ensure that all our students develop into successful and well-rounded 21st Century citizens.
This aim encapsulates nine essential key areas of development:
Delivery Model
The Excel & Aspire programme of study is delivered using the nine aspects of a 21st Century Citizen as broad planning themes. To ensure all students are able to develop all nine areas fully, we ensure that:
CASP lessons will fit within each of the themes described above. The lessons will be a mixture of project-based learning, interactive lessons, independent study, creative expression and team work.
At Byrchall High School, we provide a safe and happy atmosphere in which students thrive and reach their full potential. We believe the best way to do this is through a structured learning environment where personal success is rewarded.
Students’ work is celebrated and displayed around the school and their achievements are regularly reported in the local press, on the school website and in school newsletters.
Our reward system acknowledges, on a daily basis, those students whose standards of work, effort, behaviour, attendance and punctuality are considered to be excellent. We reward students with stamps which can be exchange for a variety of Fairtrade, recycled or sustainable products. Alternatively, students may save or pool their reward stamps, using them for charitable purposes to purchase a “Gift of Life” such as a hygiene kit or a goat for villages in developing countries. We aim to encourage our students to consider how they, as individuals, can make a difference to the lives of other people.
A high standard of behaviour and personal appearance is expected from all students at all times; school rules are kept to a minimum, but must be followed. We believe that every student attending Byrchall High School is entitled to enjoy their education. The Home School Agreement, which we ask every student and parent/carer to sign, is based on the premise that everybody will act with courtesy and consideration towards each other.
Student 2010Our students are encouraged to believe in themselves and to pursue their dreams and aspirations. We prepare our students to be future leaders and change-makers; in doing so, we provide them with every opportunity to develop their wide ranging talents and skills so that, on leaving Byrchall High School, they are fully prepared for their role in society.
We are committed to listening to what our students say and acting on their views in order to make our school a better place. We have a fully co-ordinated range of Student Voice roles and responsibilities for the whole student body and an active School Council. Some students work pro-actively with our staff, researching learning and developing ideas to enhance teaching; other students work pro-actively within the student community supporting each other and our Student Ambassadors are recognised for their impact beyond school.
We have an exceptional team of fully dedicated staff whose shared aim is in supporting all students to achieve their individual goals. A relationship of respect, trust and support between staff and students is of fundamental importance; our staff not only lead by example but do not hesitate to go ‘above and beyond the call of duty’ on a daily basis to ensure their students succeed by instilling in them all a sense of determination to fulfil their potential.
In the last few decades, it has changed a great deal. It has become more diverse. It is not as easy as once was clearly to define what it means to be British. What makes us British?