"The ‘CLIMB’ approach to developing pupils’ character outlines a range of activities to help pupils develop beyond the academic." Ofsted June 2023
CLIMB – Challenge
St. Aidan’s is a Catholic learning community in which everyone is provided with the opportunity to flourish as a whole and complete person in a way that is rooted firmly in the values of the Gospel.
We truly believe that every individual is capable of excellence and we encourage you to be academically and physically challenged, fulfilling your potential to pursue your next steps in life, whether it be University or a high-quality career.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | Year 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visit a library | Visit a museum or art gallery | Work displayed | Watch a film in a different language | Go to a concert/show | Visit a university | Visit a university |
| Cook a meal | Read a newspaper | Learn about an inspirational person of faith | Navigate your way using a map | Visit a university | Plan a journey using public transport | Visit another country |
| Write a letter in a different language to a pen friend | Keep a journal | Compose a song / piece of music / dub poem | Take a photo of an element of nature that you are in awe of | Lie under a tree, and just be (aerobics for the soul) | Help a plant to grow | Raise money for charity |
| Learn to swim | Have a night away from home | Visit a sporting venue | Visit Holy Island | Have an interview | Visit a local landmark | Visit a different city |
| Learn to ride a bike | Play a board game | Write a prayer | Take part in a visit from a sporting professional |
CLIMB – Leadership
We have the highest of expectations for every individual and our practices and routines demand and nurture a strong sense of moral purpose, personal responsibility, integrity, honesty and respect for others within our pupils. We provide many opportunities for our pupils to harness their leadership skills. Involvement in leadership activities can improve pupils’ learning as well as helping them to develop the skills and traits needed for success beyond life at St Aidan’s.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | Year 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Become a St. Aidan's Steward | ||||||
| Join the school council: Anti Bullying, Impact Group, Well being group | ||||||
| Lead on the Mental Health Chart Mark Award | ||||||
| Learn First Aid and offer your services to others | ||||||
| Be part of the school council | Be a role model | Learn sign language | Learn first aid | Be a sports leader | Take part in DofE | Lead a fundraising activity |
| Be part of the school mission | Achieve Silver Faith in Action | Apply for Head Boy KS3 | Take part in DofE | Mentor another student | Embark on the John Paul II Award | Mentor another student |
| Achieve Bronze Faith in Action | Achieve Gold Faith in Action | Apply for Head Boy KS4 | Lead a revision session for peers | Apply for Head Boy KS5 | Complete the John Paul II Award | |
CLIMB – Integrity
Integrity is achieved by focusing on making connections for pupils, both in and out of the classroom, allowing them to engage in relevant, meaningful activities and discussions that can be connected to real life. By teaching integrity through our curriculum and our core values of hard work, trust and fairness, we aim to connect the ideas learned with practical, real-life knowledge and experiences.
101 things to do before 18:
- Live by Examen: don’t hold grudges, fortitude, prudence, justice, temperance, silent reflection, faith and hope, forgiveness
- Be a reading buddy
- Support the school or a local foodbank
- Write a card/letter to someone who is lonely and visit a care home
- Be involved in a beach clean
- Volunteer for litter picking at the school or in your local community
- Learn about a different culture
- Get to know a tree in a woodland or forest
- Show kindness to someone who is struggling
- Support a charity
- Raise awareness of an issue or cause
CLIMB – Motivation
Intrinsic motivation produces pupils with a real interest in the subject matter who learn for learning’s sake. Our pupils enjoy exploring taught material and mastering it, gaining emotional and intellectual satisfaction from learning key concepts within the curriculum. At St Aidan’s we believe intrinsic motivation has lasting effects, often driving people to be lifelong learners and even leading them to careers they will enjoy in the future.
101 things to do before 18:
- Have a piece of work featured on social media/newsletter
- Hear a professional talk about their career pathway
- Hear alumni talk about their career pathway
- Be named pupil of the week, gain an award/certificate for your learning
- Learn how to manage your money
- Take part in work experience
- Be involved in a debate
CLIMB – Belong
St Aidan’s is a Catholic learning community in which all individuals belong and are provided with the opportunity to flourish in a way that is rooted firmly in the values of the Gospel. By placing Christ at the centre of all that we do and recognising learning as the fundamental focus of all our work we are achieving our mission objective to ensure that each person can ‘Celebrate life to the full’.
101 things to do before 18:
- Take part in science week
- Take part in World Book Day
- Be a representative for the school: trips, sports, competitions, mass
- Be part of the school choir
- Take part in an extra-curricular activity
- Attend a parent evening/information evening with a parent/carer
- Take part in the school’s recycling ambition: no single use plastics
- Engage with services that support the community
- Explore the diversity of the local area- countryside and coast
- Be part of an action group to improve your community
- Attend a service in a church or place of worship
- Pray the rosary
- Learn about the life of Bishop Chadwick
- Learn about the lives of the Northern Saints
- Sit with a teacher at family dining
- Write to a pen friend from another school
- Be part of a team
- Attend an event in a different Trust school
- Visit a church/cathedral
- Visit a place of worship of a faith other than your own
- Talk to a faith leader from a different faith
- Take part in a retreat
- Lead a prayer
- Take part in liturgy
- Experience a different faith for the day
- Talk to your Parish/Priest/ faith leader
- Visit the Youth Village
- Make or build a sculpture to model British Values
- Take part in a pilgrimage