Using the local learning area: developing local links with businesses and organisations
Samantha Swain, Assistant Principal, Stamford Welland Academy
Stamford Welland Academy is located a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Stamford in Lincolnshire, it is an 11 to 16 school and has a population of approximately 600.
It has been a long-standing member of Meridian Trust and was the fourth school to join the trust.
Stamford Welland Academy (SWA) has a thriving cadet unit with approximately 150 students regularly taking part in training both after school and at weekends. It has developed close links with ‘Burghley House’ and has access to part of the estate at ‘White Water’, a ‘wild area’ which the school can utilise for canoeing, orienteering, den making, fire lighting and other adventurous activities. It is not just the cadets that use this area but also for students moving from year 6 to year 7 the school has a developed transition package which sees adventure high on the list. The school’s Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition often starts or ends at ‘White Water’ as this is an ideal camping spot.
White Water has been used over the years not only by the school but also by the Trust and there has been inter school competitions as well as a two-day canoe course for students from four other Trust secondary schools in the local area.
Stamford Welland Academy makes much use of our local learning area. Teachers take students on a walk to a local church in the centre of Stamford, and we have developed links which see the vicar taking assemblies in school and hosting school events, such as a carol service, in the church.
Art and photography students are given chances to ‘look up’ rather than look down and there is a focus on the town’s rich architecture which often features in portfolio work. The Arts Centre in the centre of town has displayed student work and this link has also meant that local artists and sculpturers have visited the school.
We have recently been commissioned to plant crocus in the town area and there are a group of students who, because of strong links with the Royal British Legion, tend the local cemetery and memorial gardens. The cadet unit often takes part in remembrance events at the memorial and local church.
What have been
the impacts?
Stamford Welland Academy is not unique in developing local links with businesses and organisations, this is a feature of many schools within the Meridian Trust. It is, however, fortunate in that it has a natural wild area very close to the school. Staff have been trained to utilise such an area and makes this, together with its very strong Extending the Boundaries extracurricular offer, a unique selling point.
