It is important to recognise that the provision is bespoke for each year group and not generic across the College, providing different opportunities, work and expectations.
As much as it is remote, our education is real. Those in Faulkner’s going into the Shell have begun their GCSE courses; Fifth Form and Lower Sixth pupils are embarking on or continuing studies on A Level courses or the IBDP. Those in the Lower Sixth have sat their Trial Examinations, the results of which will go some way to creating the evidence base for university predicted grades.
Following the cancellation of A Level and IBDP exams, Upper Sixth pupil can access university bridging courses and a life skills programme including learning How to Design a Successful Business Model, Finance Essentials, Create a Social Media Marketing Campaign and Journalism, the future, and you. This offering will allow our pupils to answer the all-important question ‘What did you do that made a difference in the 2020 pandemic?’ with confidence and enthusiasm.
Echoing the bespoke nature of the academic programme, the College’s remote co-curricular offering ensures each year group has its own distinct programme that mirrors many of the wider areas of life they would have been engaged with on site.
“It is essential that pupils have an opportunity to be creative, take physical exercise and experience as much as possible away from the daily academic focus,” says Roger Wall, Deputy Head (Co-Curricular). “Good mental health and wellbeing are closely linked to engaging in co-curricular activity and this should not be discouraged whilst learning remotely.”
The College continues to offer a range of regular opportunities for sports, Music, LAMDA, CCF, Drama, Art and Design and the Bradfield Diploma. Learning to be flexible and adaptable to our new environmental circumstances is already a key life skill for all of us at this difficult moment. Roger is also adding inspirational content to the platform in the form of interviews with OBs and former staff about their own co-curricular experiences and how those have played a part in their lives in the world beyond Bradfield. The WallTalk series has featured professional sports people, television stars and environmental and sustainability experts with many more episodes planned.
“Our hope is that pupils will strive to achieve a semblance of normality by engaging in a programme which is inspiring, enjoyable and, most of all, fun.”
