Leadership & Service

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Leadership & Service

Leadership and service in schools are essential components of a well-rounded education that not only benefit the individuals involved but also contribute positively to the school community and beyond; they sit at the heart of life in the Senior School and help pupils develop the confidence, character and habits that universities and employers value.

The leadership and service experiences gained in school can have a lasting impact on students' personal and professional lives; through our co-curricular activities and the weekly rhythm of Shape of the Week, pupils practise teamwork, communication, initiative and resilience, building a strong foundation for future study and careers.

Many students who participate in leadership and service activities in school go on to become active contributors to their communities and leaders in their respective fields; these experiences also support strong outcomes and next steps through senior results, careers and further education.

“Opportunities like being able to do Duke of Edinburgh and CCF. Both fabulous opportunities and it’s great pupils can participate in both.”

Denstone Parent

In This Section

DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD
Very popular with pupils is The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which is offered to all pupils, starting in the Third Form with the Bronze Award leading up to the Gold Award in the Lower Sixth Form; it is a flagship opportunity within our co-curricular activities and strongly complements the values and personal development focus of Shape of the Week. At the Bronze Award level, the participants are required to commit to six months’ volunteering, a physical activity and a skill. They are also required to undertake a further three months in one of these activities. In addition, they will plan, train and complete a two day, one night expedition in the nearby Peak District. The Silver Award is offered to the Year 10. Participants are also required to commit to six months’ volunteering, physical and skills sections of the award with a three day, two night expedition for which they have planned and trained; experiences that build independence, organisation and leadership, and support pupils’ wider senior academic progress. The Year 11 are given a year off to study for GCSE’s and, if needed, to finish off their Silver Award The prestigious Gold Award begins in the Sixth Form, where the commitment is twelve months and a four day, three night expedition in wild country. This would normally be in Snowdonia or North Yorkshire. Along with the three sections covered by the Bronze and Silver Awards, Gold Award candidates have to complete a five day, four nights residential camp; these sustained commitments are excellent preparation for sixth form study, university life and employment, and link naturally to future planning through senior results, careers and further education. A direct entrant for either the Silver or Gold award will need to do an additional six months in one of the sections to complete their award.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD

Very popular with pupils is The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which is offered to all pupils, starting in the Third Form with the Bronze Award leading up to the Gold Award in the Lower Sixth Form; it is a flagship opportunity within our co-curricular activities and strongly complements the values and personal development focus of Shape of the Week.

At the Bronze Award level, the participants are required to commit to six months’ volunteering, a physical activity and a skill. They are also required to undertake a further three months in one of these activities. In addition, they will plan, train and complete a two day, one night expedition in the nearby Peak District. The Silver Award is offered to the Year 10. Participants are also required to commit to six months’ volunteering, physical and skills sections of the award with a three day, two night expedition for which they have planned and trained; experiences that build independence, organisation and leadership, and support pupils’ wider senior academic progress.

The Year 11 are given a year off to study for GCSE’s and, if needed, to finish off their Silver Award The prestigious Gold Award begins in the Sixth Form, where the commitment is twelve months and a four day, three night expedition in wild country. This would normally be in Snowdonia or North Yorkshire. Along with the three sections covered by the Bronze and Silver Awards, Gold Award candidates have to complete a five day, four nights residential camp; these sustained commitments are excellent preparation for sixth form study, university life and employment, and link naturally to future planning through senior results, careers and further education.

A direct entrant for either the Silver or Gold award will need to do an additional six months in one of the sections to complete their award.

COMBINED CADET FORCE (CCF)
Another popular option from Year 10 upwards is the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). This is part of the national cadet organisation sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, and is very much a part of the wider military family. The CCF aims are to assist personal development through a wide range of activities that are not readily available outside the military context. It also aims to give cadets some insight into, and sympathy with, military matters. There is no specific recruiting objective; it is a highly valued strand of our co-curricular activities and a strong contributor to leadership development supported by Shape of the Week. On entry as a Year 10, cadets choose either the Army or RAF Sections, however, this choice precludes very little other than organised flying. Weekly training in the first year aims to give cadets a firm military foundation based mainly on weapon training, shooting, field-craft, shelter construction, navigation skills, first aid and drill. Fifth Form cadets specialise in more advanced specialist training, and may choose to participate in the Non Commissioned Officer Training Cadre. On successful completion of the Cadre, cadets are qualified to become NCOs. As much training as possible is conducted by cadet NCOs, under the supervision of Denstone staff, several of whom have previous military experience and hold the King's Commission as CCF Officers; these responsibilities develop real-world skills such as decision-making, accountability, communication and team leadership, all of which support future pathways and senior results, careers and further education. We are fortunate in having a wide range of training facilities including both indoor and outdoor ranges. Training is as comprehensive, testing, and fun as possible, but it is necessarily limited by time and space. Training away from school provides the opportunity for more demanding and realistic activity. At the close of the year, both RAF and Army camps are held at varying locations, details of which are published six months in advance. There are also numerous opportunities for cadets to participate in competitions, flying and gliding (RAF cadets only), and a myriad of courses. These range from leadership and military courses, through adventurous training to overseas trips. Many CCF cadets also participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, being able to use some aspects of their CCF service to satisfy certain award requirements; this joined-up approach helps pupils build a strong portfolio of experiences through co-curricular activities.

COMBINED CADET FORCE (CCF)

Another popular option from Year 10 upwards is the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). This is part of the national cadet organisation sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, and is very much a part of the wider military family. The CCF aims are to assist personal development through a wide range of activities that are not readily available outside the military context. It also aims to give cadets some insight into, and sympathy with, military matters. There is no specific recruiting objective; it is a highly valued strand of our co-curricular activities and a strong contributor to leadership development supported by Shape of the Week.

On entry as a Year 10, cadets choose either the Army or RAF Sections, however, this choice precludes very little other than organised flying. Weekly training in the first year aims to give cadets a firm military foundation based mainly on weapon training, shooting, field-craft, shelter construction, navigation skills, first aid and drill. Fifth Form cadets specialise in more advanced specialist training, and may choose to participate in the Non Commissioned Officer Training Cadre. On successful completion of the Cadre, cadets are qualified to become NCOs. As much training as possible is conducted by cadet NCOs, under the supervision of Denstone staff, several of whom have previous military experience and hold the King's Commission as CCF Officers; these responsibilities develop real-world skills such as decision-making, accountability, communication and team leadership, all of which support future pathways and senior results, careers and further education.

We are fortunate in having a wide range of training facilities including both indoor and outdoor ranges. Training is as comprehensive, testing, and fun as possible, but it is necessarily limited by time and space. Training away from school provides the opportunity for more demanding and realistic activity. At the close of the year, both RAF and Army camps are held at varying locations, details of which are published six months in advance. There are also numerous opportunities for cadets to participate in competitions, flying and gliding (RAF cadets only), and a myriad of courses. These range from leadership and military courses, through adventurous training to overseas trips. Many CCF cadets also participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, being able to use some aspects of their CCF service to satisfy certain award requirements; this joined-up approach helps pupils build a strong portfolio of experiences through co-curricular activities.

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CHAPEL
Chapel forms a key part of underpinning our Woodard ethos and as such we seek to involve pupils as much as possible. Each week, pupils will attend chapel at least 3 times; this is an important part of life in the Senior School and aligns closely with the reflection, values and personal development themes explored through Shape of the Week. In our Friday Eucharist, one house each week will take duties such as writing and leading prayers, reading from the Bible or providing a dramatised version of the gospel. Pupils also form the altar party and a pupil will be chosen as crucifer, gospeller and acolytes; these roles develop confidence, presence, responsibility and service to others. We also have a chapel tech team who run all the audio and visual side of chapel; a practical leadership opportunity within our co-curricular activities, building skills that translate directly into future study and careers in areas such as events, production, media and technology. Chapel is also very well supported by a sacristy team, these pupils ensure chapel is ready for services each week, lighting candles and changing the altar colours. They also lead chapel rehearsals each; developing reliability, teamwork and initiative, and contributing positively to life in the Senior School. All pupils are also encouraged to give chapel presentations about charities with whom they have a particular connection, maybe where they are raising funds for a specific cause and in return we make donations to their chosen charity; this encourages pupils to speak with purpose, show empathy, and take action—skills that support future success and are reinforced through Shape of the Week. Finally, pupils make a huge contribution to chapel through music, whether this be choir or playing musical instruments; linking naturally with our senior arts provision and the wider range of co-curricular activities available.

CHAPEL

Chapel forms a key part of underpinning our Woodard ethos and as such we seek to involve pupils as much as possible. Each week, pupils will attend chapel at least 3 times; this is an important part of life in the Senior School and aligns closely with the reflection, values and personal development themes explored through Shape of the Week.

In our Friday Eucharist, one house each week will take duties such as writing and leading prayers, reading from the Bible or providing a dramatised version of the gospel. Pupils also form the altar party and a pupil will be chosen as crucifer, gospeller and acolytes; these roles develop confidence, presence, responsibility and service to others.

We also have a chapel tech team who run all the audio and visual side of chapel; a practical leadership opportunity within our co-curricular activities, building skills that translate directly into future study and careers in areas such as events, production, media and technology.

Chapel is also very well supported by a sacristy team, these pupils ensure chapel is ready for services each week, lighting candles and changing the altar colours. They also lead chapel rehearsals each; developing reliability, teamwork and initiative, and contributing positively to life in the Senior School.

All pupils are also encouraged to give chapel presentations about charities with whom they have a particular connection, maybe where they are raising funds for a specific cause and in return we make donations to their chosen charity; this encourages pupils to speak with purpose, show empathy, and take action—skills that support future success and are reinforced through Shape of the Week.

Finally, pupils make a huge contribution to chapel through music, whether this be choir or playing musical instruments; linking naturally with our senior arts provision and the wider range of co-curricular activities available.

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Leadership & Service | Senior School | Denstone College | Staffordshire