Lawn Manor Academy, part of the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust, put its normal school timetable on pause this week to hold a special Personal Development day, where pupils had the opportunity to learn in a slightly different way, as well as pay tribute to the Armed Forces on Reserves Day.
The school holds five Personal Development days a year as part of its Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) curriculum. Personal Development days focus on the wellbeing of pupils and the creation of knowledge, understanding and skills required to manage their lives now and in the future. Lessons cover sometimes challenging topics in an age-appropriate manner, such as personal hygiene, alcohol addiction, discussions on family life, and the damage stereotypes based on sex, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or disability can cause.
The Personal Development day coincided this year with the annual Reserves Day, which recognises those who give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces. Two such individuals at Lawn Manor Academy are Andrew Bull, head of history & business, and Natasha Dixon, dance teacher, who have enrolled in the Army Reserve (previously known as the Territorial Army) and get involved in everything that the regular army does; from combat to peacekeeping and humanitarian work.
Members of the Army Reserve are currently supporting operations worldwide, however, the contribution they make to our Armed Forces often goes unrecognised. As such, the annual Reserves Day was created and reservists such as Andrew and Natasha proudly wear their uniform to their day job.
William Smith, head of personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) at Lawn Manor Academy, commented: “Through our PSHE sessions we develop the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive and to become engaged and responsible members of society, as modelled by Andrew and Natasha. In a break from the norm, we were also treated to a virtual live set from up-and-coming singer songwriter, Denis Coleman, who performed to all year groups with an important message about mental health.”
