This years theme ‘Skills for a shared future’, highlights the importance of equipping young people with the practical, personal and social skills that help them thrive.

Across Esland, we provide opportunities that help students build resilience, independence and confidence, while developing valuable skills for life beyond education. At Esland Grantham School, students have been developing these skills through opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Forest School.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a nationally recognised award that promotes resilience, teamwork, respect and perseverance. For students at Grantham, it provides an opportunity to explore areas of natural beauty and appreciate the sense of achievement that comes from completing a challenging day of long-distance walking.

However, the Duke of Edinburgh Award isn’t just about walking and camping. Students also develop and learn through the Skills, Physical and Volunteering sections. They can learn new and valuable skills such as cooking, DJing, sewing and gardening, while discovering ways of staying active and healthy that they enjoy.

Through volunteering, students have the opportunity to support their local communities through activities such as litter picking, helping charities including On Yer Bike and Helping Hands, as well as reading with younger students.

Esland Grantham School has also been attending Forest School for nearly two years, during which time students have developed a wide range of practical outdoor and bushcraft skills. These include fire lighting, water filtration, survival techniques, basic first aid, knot tying, shelter building and campfire cooking.

As a result, students have grown in confidence and self-reliance, developing transferable skills that prepare them for future pathways, including further education, employment and life beyond school.

Interim Headteacher, James Pointing said:
"Through these activities, students have also built key skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, resilience, and independence. They have learned how to assess risk, take responsibility, and adapt to new and challenging environments."

At Esland, we are committed to creating opportunities that help young people develop the skills they need to achieve their goals, contribute to their communities and shape their own futures.