At Waldegrave we hold an off timetable day twice each year, once in the Autumn and once in the Summer Terms. This day offers pupils a change to try fun and inspiring activities away from the usual school routine.
Our Year 7 pupils who are fresh to the experience of Drop Down Day got an in-depth theatre experience, looking at the qualifications and skills required to put on a major West End show. They followed this careers focus with a trip into London to watch The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre.
Year 8 tied their Drop Down Day to Black History Month by getting absorbed in African cultural activities. They took part in drumming and dance, drama, art and also jewellery making. It all looked like a lot of fun!
For Year 9 the day was about choosing their GCSE options and looking ahead to future careers. They attended subject taster sessions as well as speed networking sessions to understand different career choices with professionals from paramedics to marketing directors coming in to speak to them.
Public speaking and oration skills were the order of the day for Year 10. They took part in a Jack Petchey Speak Out challenge workshop where they each had to make a short speech on something they are passionate about.
Our Year 11s spent the day learning about revision techniques as well as having a go at stressbusting yoga and kickboxing to ensure they will be ready in body and mind for their exams next summer!
In the Sixth Form Year 12 also had a careers focused Drop Down Day, with a post 18 options briefing and a career networking event, while our Year 13s spent the day revising ahead of their mock exams in November.
Thanks to the hard work of all the staff the day was a fantastic success. You can read more about the pupils’ own experiences in the School Magazine which will be published at the end of the Autumn Term.
