Year 7 Student Support Group

This past year has seen us all struggle in different ways, at St Clement Danes School we have been conscious of the impact this has had on our students, especially those new to the school.

Starting secondary school can be a daunting event, even more so during a pandemic. Mrs Lloyd-Adams, Support Group Lead, and Mr Harris, Assistant Headteacher, selected a small group of students who had recently joined the school in Year 7, to be part of the newly formed Year 7 support group. The aim of the group was to increase the students’ confidence and self-esteem, whilst demonstrating to them that their goals can be achieved. The group spoke at length during sessions about overcoming barriers and having determination to try (growth mindset). The students worked on various worksheets and did some practical activities as well to build their confidence. Every session they ‘checked in’ using a Zone of Regulation sheet which helped them describe how they were feeling, and consequently discussed why and how they could improve their mood. They organised simple tasks such as handing out stationery and talking about ways to help themselves at home, and some sessions also focused on Aspiration, where future jobs were discussed, including watching some videos from ex-students.

We are extremely proud of the students who participated and managed to show such enthusiasm and positivity during these sessions. The support group finished on a high with certificates handed out and a celebratory pizza lunch, socially distanced of course!

We also have some lovely words below from one of the Year 7 student participants, Aditi, on how she felt:

This support group has always helped me when I was stressed, worried or even nervous. It has helped me feel motivated and has helped me gain confidence. During lessons I would always be quiet and shy, but after this great group I have started participating in class more and talking confidently to other people. I have also made new friends. Every week we made targets for ourselves to reach and accomplish. One of the best parts about this group is the free breakfast. I also met new people who I have never talked to before. Mrs Lloyd-Adams and Mr Harris always made us feel welcome at every meeting. The past couple of weeks have been such great fun and I enjoyed every part of it!

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Also Featured

30th January

Teachers commended for transforming Design & Technology education

We were delighted to read that our Design and Technology teachers, Miss Yalley and Mr Hadley were featured in the Design and Technology publication. The article discusses the transformation of the Design & Technology (D&T) department at St. Clement Danes School over the past five years. It discusses how Mr Hadley and Miss Yalley took ownership of the subject, implementing a new subject ethos based on trust, excellence, respect, and safety to foster student responsibility and independence. Key Initiatives & Changes Revamping Projects & Curriculum Introduced more challenging design projects at earlier years (Years 8 & 9). Shifted focus to design skills, problem-solving, and justifying choices over just practical outcomes. Prioritized quality over quantity in student projects. Notable projects: Year 7: Robot concepts Year 8: Articulated lamps Year 9: Branded dispensers & modular speakers Encouraging Inclusion & Diversity Created a girls-only club to boost female participation in GCSE Product Design. Sixth-form girls mentor younger students, building confidence and community. Design Ventura Competition Integrated mock coursework with the Design Ventura competition. Encouraged teamwork and prototyping to improve engagement. Use of AI & Technology Introduced cloud-based tools to make learning more accessible. Leveraged AI for idea development and communication. Professional Development & Industry Links Participating in the Teachers in Residence program to gain industry insights. Adopted industry models like the Double Diamond Design Process and Scrum-based project sprints to enhance student learning. Established workshops with industry professionals to inspire students, especially girls, to pursue design careers. Key Takeaways for Educators Adapt curriculum to student needs and school culture. Pilot new initiatives as clubs first to gauge student interest. Encourage student feedback to refine teaching methods. Be open to change and continuously evolve teaching strategies. The article ultimately encourages educators to embrace creativity, experimentation, and student collaboration in D&T education. We are very proud of our teachers for their continued hard work and dedication for each of their subject areas. Congratulations to Mr Hadley and Miss Yalley for their inspiring article and the incredible work they’ve done to transform Design & Technology at St. Clement Danes! Their dedication to fostering creativity, inclusion, and industry connections is truly commendable, and their impact on students will undoubtedly be long-lasting.

30th January

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