Skills to pay the bills

~ Birches Head Academy equips pupils with life skills ~

The latest personal, social, cooperative, health and economic education (PSCHE) day at Stoke-on-Trent school Birches Head Academy focussed on equipping pupils with the knowledge and skills to live healthy, happy and safe lives. Pupils from each year discussed a specific topic and participated in practical activities to help them manage their lives now and in the future.

The range of activities and topics transformed the school into a buzzing discussion hub for a day. Students had a chance to increase their knowledge of personal finances, career opportunities, health and safety, sexual health, citizenship and human rights. They also participated in practical activities designed to build confidence and self-esteem and help them make better personal and professional decisions.

Intrigued by the prospect of managing their own finances, year eleven students were particularly interested in the financial capability activities organised on the day. They discussed the economics of leaving home and managing their first income, as well as the risks of gambling and debt.

“The issue of financial capability is particularly important for students in their last year,” explained Sarah Wright, director of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). “Some students have never had the chance to manage money, so we want them to be ready for it when they leave school, whether they decide to go into further education or enter the professional world.”

Year ten students were divided in two groups. The first group focussed on preparing for their upcoming work experience. Activities included health and safety training and a test. Successful pupils received a certificate confirming their knowledge of basic health and safety procedures. The second group discussed issues concerning sexual health and staying safe in relationships.

Year nine focussed on gaining a better understanding of the concepts of citizenship, cultural difference and human rights, while year eight worked with Simon Smallman, the careers adviser based in Birches Head Academy.

“Equipping students with future-proof skills is very important to Birches Head Academy,” commented Smallman. “We want to make sure that by the time they leave school our pupils are confident, ambitious and prepared for the current, very tough, job market. Each and every one of our students has something they feel passionate about; our job is to help them discover what that is and how to build a profession from it.”

Birches Head Academy organises five PSCHE days every school year and dedicates six days to similar topics of discussion during Out and about week, which takes place every summer. The next PSCHE day is set for the last week of term, on July 16.

Stoke-on-Trent students full of beans

~ Local schools collaborate to promote a more active lifestyle ~

Birches Head Academy sports leaders from year nine have been running a weekly Fitzy Fox fitness club for the Carmountside Primary School reception pupils. With the guidance of support officers, the sports leaders plan and lead the activities, ensuring they are both fun and suitable for the needs of younger students. 

The aim of the club is to improve the collaboration between local schools and to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle for children of all ages.

The Fitzy Fox fitness club takes place every Thursday after school hours at Carmountside Primary School. The four Birches Head Academy student sports leaders currently involved in the scheme are Antonia Dean, Louise Whitby, Megan Still and Damiloa Olorunshola.

In addition to the weekly gatherings, the Fitzy Fox fitness club also organises special events every half term. On May 22, the club will host a World Cup event, which consists of football skill sessions and a mini football tournament. On the day, each team will represent a different country and will compete in a simplified and local mock-up of the World Cup.

In July, the Birches Head Academy sports leaders are planning to organise an athletics event in which they will hold running, long jump and throwing competitions.

“The weekly after-school Fitzy Fox fitness club and its half term events have been incredibly successful,” enthused Tracey Matthias, sports coordinator at Birches Head Academy. “Apart from promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among younger pupils, the initiative has been extremely beneficial for our sports leaders. It has taught them responsibility and offered them valuable professional experience, while also developing their communication skills in a variety of situations.”

Birches Head Academy is hoping to involve more of its pupils in the activity. The school sees the Fitzy Fox fitness club as an opportunity to increase students’ confidence, help them gain useful qualifications and improve life skills like teamwork, flexibility and assertiveness.