Resilience

Department Information

Aim of Resilience 

• Encourage students to make mistakes
• Give them the tools to overcome barriers and obstacles
• Provide an understanding of how we learn
• Push students to stretch and challenge themselves
• Improve students understanding of a range of theories and ideas to support their development

Resilience is one of the core subjects delivered in year 7 and is fundamental to the Academies ideology.  Students are exposed to a range of content to develop their own learning style, which they will continue to use throughout their time at Rodillian. Students are encouraged to make mistakes as we see this as the bedrock of learning, this in turn will equip them with the tools they require to overcome barriers throughout life. As part of the curriculum there is a strong focus on developing a growth mind set, discussing the language of learning and giving them the confidence to use it outside of the classroom. Additionally, students will perform a range of activities from presentations to extended writing to juggling; all as part of their curriculum to develop resilience.

Curriculum

1. The Big Question – This section enables students to get to know each other through a range of activities, discussing mistakes they have made in the past to team building. This all culminates in them attending year 7 camp (Bradley Woods), resulting in them producing a camp diary.

2. The Brain – As part of their curriculum students get the opportunity to learn about the different areas of the brain and how the connections are made within the brain. After this, students learn about the language of resilience with a key focus on growth mindset.

3. In their shoes – Students get the opportunity to learn about empathy, placing themselves in the shoes of some very influential people, such as Anne Frank and Nelson Mandela.

4. Exam Preparation – Within this topic students will have access to a range of revision techniques to support them in preparation for their mocks.

5. Operation New Community – Students will work as part of a team to develop their own political party, which they will then present to their classmates at the end of the half term.

6. French – In preparation for their resilience camp in France, students will study keywords and phrases that they will be using on camp.

7. The Big Reflection – Students will reflect on their experiences and discuss how they have become more resilient over the course of year 7.

Year 7 Camp (Bradley Wood)

During the last week of September all students from year 7 get the opportunity to attend a two-day camp. This takes place at Bradley Woods. It is an excellent opportunity for them to demonstrate to both peers and staff how resilient they can be. Students focus on a range of activities from water sports to survival skills.

Year 7 Camp (France)

As part of their progression into year 8 students are offered the opportunity to attend a residential in the south of France. Students again camp but this time for 7 days. Whilst over there we look to stretch and challenge the students through a variety of activities from cycling to kayaking down the Ardeche.  Although these activities may seem demanding there is plenty of downtime where students get the opportunity to immerse themselves in French culture with trips to the local markets and of course the opportunity to buy ice creams.

Staff

Mr A.Oxley – Head of Resilience ([email protected])

Useful Advice and Support

Mindset: How you can fulfil your full potential (Carol Dweck)

You’re Awesome (Matthew Syed)

Bounce (Matthew Syed)

Black Box Thinking (Matthew Syed)