LIFE lessons are giving pupils The Edge at a Rugby secondary school.
Year 8 students at Avon Valley School are currently involved in a scheme called The Edge.
The initiative teaches life skills such as leadership, organisation, initiative, resilience and communication, which are valued by employers and further education providers.
The initiative gives students a qualification which recognises what they can do, not just what they know.
Students Poppy Moore and Elle Johnson have become the first to complete the first level of the award.
To gain the qualification at Apprentice, Graduate or Masters level, students need to complete a range of activities in normal lessons, extra-curricular clubs or outside school.
Activities range from mentoring a peer and being an ambassador for the school, to captaining a sports team or learning a new instrument or language.
Students manage their own progress using an online application, with tutors and the school’s Edge Coordinator providing an oversight and awarding credits.
The Edge is run by schools partnership PiXL (Partners in Excellence).
Leigh Hallam, PE teacher and Edge Coordinator, said: “Despite only beginning the qualification in September two students have already shown that they have ‘The Edge’ and have already completed the apprentice level award.
“This is a fantastic achievement and I am very proud of Elle and Poppy, who have now set the standard for their peers to aspire to.”
Head teacher Alison Davies added: “The skills developed by the students through ‘The Edge’ are indeed very valuable. We recognise the need to nurture these skills and that’s why we dedicate time to the initiative.
“Elle and Poppy are the first students to complete the award this year and we’re hoping to see many more students collect their certificate.”
