Teddies Collaborates
Partnerships and service have always been a part of St Edward’s School, with over half our pupils either working towards a DofE award or completing an IB CAS project (International Baccalaureate Creativity, Activity, Service). The School is now building on this tradition to make sure that a culture of working with others and philanthropy is deeply embedded across all areas of school life.
Teddies Collaborates is a school-wide initiative that builds knowledge of social action and the value of service. In our role as educators, we seek to prepare our pupils for a successful and fulfilling life after school, to teach them to engage with society and to help where they can. Teddies Collaborates provides our pupils opportunities to learn and grow, socially and culturally, whilst providing meaningful assistance to local charities and organisations in the form of practical support and volunteering.
The Shell
Each year the Shell host the Shell Christmas Fair which is open to the whole school and raises money for charities. As part of the Shell Carousel they explore partnerships, social action and address the question ‘What is a Charity?’
The Fourth Form
The Fourth Form spend a day off timetable working with local primary school pupils on a chosen topic. In 2022 they worked on creative writing, in 2023 there was a historical theme and 2024 will be a STEM extravaganza.
The Lower Sixth
The school timetable has been restructured to provide a dedicated and sustainable time allocation every week to enable all 180 Lower Sixth pupils to benefit from a service placement. Our pupils spend 90 minutes on a service placement which they will remain in for the whole academic year.
The Upper Sixth
Although priority is given to academic studies, Upper Sixth pupils can continue with their placements throughout their final year during their lunch hours if they choose.
There are many other ways in which pupils can get involved in partnerships work; through the Sports Leaders Programme and helping us with sporting events for primary schools, or through the Drama Pathway (Theatre in Education), OX2 Collective or many other charity initiatives.
Watch the video below to find out more about our Teddies Collaborates programme:
“Pupils’ charity work exemplifies their strong focus on striving to help and improve the lives of others locally, nationally and further afield.”
ISI Report 2022
“I just wanted to let you know that the students who came in yesterday were fabulous. They really interacted well with the residents and the residents thoroughly enjoyed their company – they were a real credit to the school. We are looking forward to them coming back.”
Cameo Brown, Head of Social Wellbeing, Fairfield Residential Home
“Thank you for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children at Northern House. So far my service has been a really eye-opening experience and has allowed me to really understand the challenges of some of the children and how I can help. It has been really nice to have made a difference and spend the time helping them.”
A Lower Sixth pupil on placement at Northern House Academy
