Volunteering and Charity Events
Volunteering is a very strong indicator of extra-curricular commitment that can really boost a pupil’s UCAS reference or job application.
Through the Community Volunteering Programme, 6th Form pupils are encouraged to take an active role within the School through roles of responsibility and out in the wider community. Pupils gain confidence, new skills and experiences while making a positive difference to the lives of others. It is also a lot of fun.
Local placements take place in primary schools, nursing homes, hospitals, day care centres and charities. Pupils have previously volunteered at Edina Court residential centre; Magdalene House (Wisbech Grammar’s Prep School), as Peer Mentors, and at Peckover Primary School supporting a reading programme. Pupils have also organised their own volunteering outside of school, such as at Peckover House.
Volunteering placements have also been undertaken on expeditions to Kenya (2012) and Borneo (2016), where pupils helped construct school buildings and taught younger pupils English.
Pupils can achieve nationally recognised awards from ‘vinspired’; these awards look great on CVs, UCAS applications and can be earned alongside The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards.
More pupils are taking The Duke of Edinburgh’s Silver or Gold Awards than ever before. Expedition training for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award takes place during the school week as well as on the occasional Saturday.
The Charity Committee works throughout the year to organise several events to support local, national and international charities. The 6th Form pupils organise an annual Macmillan cake sale to support local people living with cancer; events are held to support Children in Need; Christmas Jumper Day raises money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers; collections for local food banks and homeless shelters are always well supported; and the whole School works together to fill shoeboxes to send to children and their families in Eastern Europe. The Committee also tries to raise awareness of important issues, such as Mental Health, through their support of ‘Movember’ and Young Minds.