News Stories

This term Ayo, Year 11, who is our Student Leader, decided to lead a voluntary training session for teachers about challenge (pictured right). His purpose was to use this opportunity to have an impact on whole school teaching and learning for all students, but in particular, high ability students.

Challenge in lessons is a key focus at Harris Academy Rainham; we aim to stretch and support all students in the classroom, ensuring that every individual gains a wealth of knowledge, understanding and skills across all lessons. We also aim to empower our student leaders to enable them to have ownership over whole school matters.

---

Ayo writes...

In August 2018, only 9% of all Year 11 students across the country will achieve a level 8 or above; only 2% of these students will get a 9! I want to be one of these students and I will be competing with many others across England. If I’m not exposed to challenging material then how will I reach a 9?

I felt it was important to deliver a teacher training session on challenge from a student’s perspective; I was able to collect ideas and information from other Year 11 student leaders and create a presentation about how we like to be challenged and why it’s so important to us.

I felt really supported by my teachers, I had the largest turn out of any voluntary training session, many of the teaching and support staff came to ask further questions and to thank me.

Being able to present to teachers gave me a greater insight into what they have to do every day; I felt it boosted my confidence and had a positive impact on my presenting, leadership and communication skills - especially when I had to think on my feet and respond to questions in the final part of the presentation.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would definitely recommend it to others!