CHARACTER CURRICULUM AMBITION

Character Development lays the foundations for all aspects of school life and supports achievement at all levels; it underpins the pastoral curriculum, including PDC, and is beginning to be incorporated into each faculty and department’s curriculum design and lesson material through the development of the school’s Teaching and Learning Policy. Character Development includes the skills, experience and knowledge derived from the many clubs, trips, experiences and activities offered to students.

Through Character Development, pupils will become confident, positive and resourceful individuals. Students will have a clear understanding of how they can positively engage in society and they will be able to thrive and reach their potential academically and socially. Students will also engage in key awareness days, form time activities, and PDC lessons, that will educate them on the importance of positive mental health and how to improve their personal wellbeing (including how to seek help/guidance from their school support network, as well as outside agencies).

As Character Development becomes increasingly established and embedded throughout the school, students will be taking ownership of their own development. Throughout their school life at Downlands, pupils will build a toolkit that will enable them to live by the values outlined in our ROCKS statement: ‘I am Resilient, Optimistic, Community Focused, Kind and Self-Aware’. As the language of ROCKS becomes commonly utilised throughout the school, students will be able to articulate and reflect on their own learning and strengths and identify areas for self-improvement.

Students are routinely rewarded through Character expectations; staff celebrate success under ROCKS and the community comes together to celebrate students’ achievement termly. Community points are also awarded for participation in community events for the school’s Communities: Weald, Wolstonbury, South Downs and Beacon. The code of conduct is a set of expectations based on ROCKS that enables students to behave in line with the culture of the school.

All pupils are encouraged and supported to participate in a broad variety of clubs, competitions and in-house events where they can further develop their Character, work together and support their Community. The Character Passport is the school’s commitment to students that they will experience a carefully chosen selection of important cultural activities that will prepare them for future success.

CHARACTER of ROCKS

The ROCKS of Downlands (I am; Resilient, Optimistic, Community focused, Kind and Self Aware) will become embedded in our Achievement Points System and pupils who demonstrate these characteristics will be recognised and rewarded.

Resilient

Courageous / Brave/ Dedicated/ Adaptable/ Determined

Optimistic

Positive / Cheerful / Confident / Hopeful/ A Leader

Kind

Compassionate / Caring / Forgiving / Generous/ Honest

Self-Aware

Motivated / Responsible /Open-Minded / Reflective/ Alert

Character Rewards Categories

COMMUNITY: – 

• Librarian, Eco, Community work, Charity work, Volunteer work, SEND, Global Ambassadors, Accelerated reading, Language Leaders, School council
• Form captain, vice-captain, prefects, sports leaders, Acts of kindness, Forest school, Attendance,
• Chosen by HOY, PSO and tutor

ACADEMIC: –

Child development / H&S CARE/ English / Geography / History / ML / PDC / RS / Food & Nutrition /Classics

For attainment/effort in specific subject areas

• For outstanding work/effort that term/Resilient/commitment
• X pupils per subject – Chosen by subject teachers

The ARTS: –

• MUSIC – Contribution in the musical life of the school
• DRAMA – Contribution in dramatic life of the school
• ART – Contribution in Artistic life of the school
• TEXTILES – Contribution in Textiles
• Chosen by subject leaders

SPORT: –

• For representing school on a regular basis/attending training/Dance rehearsals and productions
• Chosen by the PE & Dance dept.

STEM: –

• Outstanding contribution in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, Computing
• Chosen by appropriate staff in these areas
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DOWNLANDS COMMUNITIES

All students at Downlands belong to one of four Houses, all named after areas of natural beauty in Sussex:

Beacon: Head of Beacon: Mr C Runeckles, Mrs E Dickenson
South Downs: Head of South Downs: Mr J Chandler, Mrs V Cornish
Weald: Head of Weald: Mr S Adams, Ms S Kashmiri
Wolstonbury: Head of Wolstonbury: Mrs C Davies, Ms K Stodart

Each House comprises students from all year groups. Students at Downlands are awarded Achievement Points for outstanding work and there are fierce rivalries between the Houses for the most points.

Once every term each House has a morning assembly with the Head of House. There are inter-House competitions throughout the year including Maths challenges and Sports Day.