Second Drop-Down day at the Upper School
On Thursday 6 March, our Upper School had the second of three drop down days, an initiative designed to adjust the regular timetable to focus on educational enrichment.
On this day, students step away from their usual classes to participate in activities, seminars and off-site visits aimed at expanding their learning horizons.
The primary goal of the day was to provide students with enriching experiences that address topics beyond the school curriculum. These activities aligned with the core values of We ARE Preston Manor - Ambition, Responsibility and Excellence. The programme was crafted to foster student engagement, inspire ambition and promote holistic development. It emphasised the development of essential skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, resilience and critical thinking, which are vital for students' personal growth and future success.
Here’s an overview of the day’s activities by year group:
| Year Group | Activity Theme | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | Environmental Awareness | Students learnt about the importance of sustainability and the role plants play in the ecosystem. Through hands-on activities like planting plants, they gained a deeper understanding of how their actions impact the planet. |
| Year 8 | Careers | Students stepped into the world of entrepreneurship with a career-focused Dragons’ Den-style pitch challenge. Refining their communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills while gaining insight into different industries. |
| Year 9 | Social Conscience | The First Give programme is designed to ignite a spark of social conscience in young people. Students learnt about social issues in their communities. They researched charities working in their community and got to meet 3 different charities, while planning and delivering a social action project. By the end of the day, the year group donated £1145 to charity. |
| Year 10 | Exploring London & Careers | Students were divided into two groups: one explored London’s iconic landmarks and universities, while the other attended a Careers Day led by Talent Foundry to inspire aspiration and ambition. |
| Year 11 | Ambition and Excellence | Year 11 intensified their exam preparations with focused extra sessions in English and Maths, strengthening their understanding of key concepts and refining their exam technique. |
| Year 12 & 13 | Work Experience/Study skills | Students explored various roles and gained real-world insights and developed essential workplace skills. |
Preston Manor’s Drop-Down Day successfully combined education, inspiration, and skill-building, ensuring students had a memorable and impactful experience.