Life Skills Programme at Malvern College: A Day of Diverse Learning and Engagement
During Sixth Form, the life skills programme here at Malvern College is taught through a series of drop-down days with pupils regularly canvassed as to what they want to learn.
Last time, the pupils came up with such a huge range of fantastic and relevant suggestions, we set ourselves the goal of providing, well, all of them! We had already covered some topics, such as Relationships and Sex education in previous days, and Drugs Education will be addressed next term. This left us free to offer a bespoke and imaginative programme giving students a choice, with all covering at least two topics and some as many as four, during the day.
This particular drop-down day offered a rich selection of topics, including:
- Self-defence: Empowering students with techniques to protect themselves in various situations.
- Survival skills: Teaching essential skills for staying safe and managing in the wilderness.
- Car maintenance: Providing practical knowledge on vehicle upkeep and basic repairs.
- Stress management: Offering strategies to handle stress and maintain mental well-being.
- Negotiation skills: Developing techniques for effective negotiation in personal and professional settings.
- Study skills: Enhancing methods for effective studying and academic success.
- Cooking and nutrition: Educating on healthy eating and practical cooking skills.
- Barista training: Introducing students to the art of making coffee and other beverages.
- Certified first aid: Training students in basic first aid to handle emergencies confidently.
- Advanced driving: Offering advanced driving techniques for safer and more efficient driving.
- Media training: Teaching skills for navigating and utilizing various media platforms.
- Finance skills: Providing essential knowledge on managing personal finances.
- Learning about volunteering: Encouraging community service and the benefits of volunteering.
- Introduction to law and criminology at Worcester University: Giving a glimpse into the world of law and criminology.
The day was designed not only to educate but also to inspire and engage students in a dynamic learning environment. Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the success of the programme. Libby J, a Sixth Form pupil, described the experience as, “an amazing day,” reflecting the enthusiasm shared by many of her peers. Inaya G echoed this sentiment, stating, “Great, very useful… I loved it.”
The programme’s success lies in its ability to offer students a choice, catering to their diverse interests and equipping them with skills that are directly applicable to their lives. This tailored approach ensures that each session is relevant and beneficial, providing students with a holistic educational experience.
