Partnerships Day
King Edward VI School launched its inaugural Partnerships Day in 2024. This event celebrated the best of partnership cooperation, with KES pupils from an entire year group engaging in mentoring, leadership, support, and teaching activities alongside our primary pupil partners. The day featured pupil led workshops in STEM, debate, music and sport. It was run by a team of pupil leaders who organised a lunchtime concert in addition to overseeing the full days activities. Over 300 pupils were involved in the day, which runs annually.
"I believe that it was a truly priceless experience, where we learnt how to help and care for younger children. The day showed me how kindness can lead to happiness and harmony. I think it is a very important lesson to learn. Due to this, I found that the children taught me more than I had ever expected. I feel truly privileged to have been part of the leadership team, and I think we all enjoyed being given the opportunity to help and support others, whilst having an important role in the day.” - KES pupil
Aims
Partnerships Day focused on mutual benefit in teaching and learning for our pupils and those of our partnership schools. Strengthening skills in mentoring and leadership were the aims for our pupils alongside enlivening a love of learning in new areas for our partnership school pupils. Workshops in debating and musical technology, for example, stretched the technical skills of our visiting schools and gave them an opportunity to explore a subject beyond the curriculum as taught by our pupils. “Today I learnt how to sing louder. I’m going to be a rockstar!” Year 5 Primary School Pupil
Background
Partnerships Day was created to provide an opportunity for a whole year group to engage in their community together. Having established the day in 2024, it will continue as an annual event, responding to the needs of pupils and continuing to foster mutual benefit in teaching and learning.
Resources
The school made the most of its resources with the Dobson Theatre showcased for a production matinee and the Wellington Sports Grounds enjoyed for the workshops in sports. All areas of the school came alive with Music, English and Science department classrooms being utilised to house 300 pupils. The field was also host to circus skills and face painting as part of the lunchtime activities.
Impact
Pupils interviewed after the day provided nothing but positive feedback on their experience of the topics, activities and new skills learnt. Leadership and mentoring was also evaluated from pupil leaders which resulted in all demonstrating an uplift in confidence and public speaking ability.
Pupil Involvement
The Partnerships Day was led by the complete Year 10 cohort from King Edward's teaching pupils of Years 5 and 6 from two visiting primary schools. An additional visiting primary school came to enjoy a Year 7 - 9 production as part of the day. As a Beacon School for Gender Action, King Edward VI School offered workshops across subject disciplines in science and the arts with no gender bias.
Frequency
Due to it's success the event will take place annually. We hope to see it grow from strength to strength responding to all pupils needs and with a benefit for all pupils.