STUDENTS at Ninestiles school have been taking part in a wide range of adventurous activities designed to build confidence, develop life skills and help them reconnect with school.
Through the school’s ‘Habituation’ programme, learners who have experienced barriers to education, including emotionally based school avoidance and those returning from elective home education, are given opportunities to learn and grow beyond the traditional classroom.
Every Friday afternoon, learners take part in a varied programme of ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’ activities, including climbing, caving, skiing, squash, golf, trampolining, archery, sailing and bell boating.
These experiences encourage learners to challenge themselves, work as a team and develop resilience while discovering new interests.
Closer to home, learners have also been giving back to their local community through litter-picking projects, enjoying trips to local parks, bowling and laser tag, while developing valuable skills such as travelling independently on buses and trains into Birmingham city centre.
The programme also brings together learners with positive role models from the school’s student council, helping to develop friendships, improve social confidence and strengthen their sense of belonging within the school community.
The school is expanding the programme further with the development of an on-site forest school, where learners will be able to take part in activities including planting, outdoor performances and reflective learning.
The ‘Habituation’ programme is one of a number of schemes at Ninestiles, an Academy designed to ensure every learner receives the support they need to thrive, whatever their starting point.
Alex Hughes, school principal said: “The Habituation programme is about helping young people rediscover their confidence and enjoy learning again.
“Whether they’re climbing for the first time, learning to sail, travelling independently or working together on a community project, every experience helps them develop new skills and believe in themselves.
“We know that success isn’t only measured in the classroom. These opportunities give learners the confidence, resilience and independence they need to flourish both in school and beyond, and it has been wonderful to see so many of them embrace new challenges and grow in confidence.”
