Rationale
At each stage…
To be ‘life-ready’ socially pupils should know who they are themselves, in the community and in the world.
To be ‘life-ready’ pupils should have appropriate exposure to make choices based on their own context, in their communities context and the world.
To be ‘life-ready’ with appropriate life-skills pupils should know how they can look after themselves, in their own lives, in the community and in the world.
To be ‘life-ready’ pupils should be fascinated about their own lives, their community and the world.
In 2018, Abbotsweld Academy, Harlow launched its exciting Sense of SELF programme. Designed to widen children’s school experiences, it gives pupils the opportunity to develop new skills that will help them to become life ready.
Since its launch, Sense of SELF has become fully embedded into the school curriculum and provides pupils with a broad range of enriching experiences. SELF stands for Social, Life Skills, Exposure and Fascination, and is designed to inspire curiosity, encourage independence, and help children develop the skills they need to thrive both in school and beyond.
In addition to being part of the curriculum, children also take part in discrete sessions and workshops, such as those at the College or through activities like Crucial Crew, where pupils learn about keeping safe and building resilience in the face of adversity.
Working with the local community remains at the heart of SELF. Since the launch, Abbotsweld has continued to build strong links with local businesses and organisations, ensuring pupils benefit from real-world experiences and connections. Educating the future citizens of Harlow underpins everything we do.
The children’s enthusiasm speaks for itself: “It was the best day ever!” said one pupil, while another commented, “I loved experiencing all the different lessons.” Parents also value the opportunities, describing SELF as “a fundamental part of learning” and “a brilliant idea that gives children valuable experiences.”
If you think you could support Abbotsweld’s Sense of SELF programme in the future, please contact us at email office@abbotsweld.netacdemies.net.
