Pledges

An undertaking, or commitment (to a person or organisation) by a solemn promise e.g. spending more time with family, being an honest friend, coming to school, doing homework. Pledges mean making a commitment to something, someone, or yourself and giving 100% to doing our very best to achieve that goal.

We aim for students to have undertaken a certain amount of pledges at particular points during their Outwood Academy Newbold careers. Depending on age, students can then progress into Year 9 or have the opportunity to attend the Year 11 Prom, for example:

Graduate to Year 9: 3 pledges are required
Go to the Year 11 Prom: 7 pledges are required
Be ready for University: 10 are required

Students are encouraged to participate fully in the life of the academy beyond the classroom and via our pledges scheme. By completing Pledges students are able to have new experiences, learn new skills, develop existing knowledge, gain confidence and grow as individuals.

To achieve a ‘pledge’ students must complete certain tasks and attend particular group activities. For example to achieve Pledges 1, 2, or 4 students must enthusiastically take part in a diverse range of sporting clubs or cultural activities. This could include football, rugby, netball, hockey, cricket, basketball, Duke of Edinburgh, guitar, family history; some of these activities can lead to individuals and teams representing the academy at local, district and national level. Students in Years 9, 10 and 11 may then aim to become qualified leaders through nationally recognised programmes.

Pledge 1. Regular attendance at an “After Academy” activity. Pledge 2. Represent the Academy in either a sporting, cultural or academic event. Pledge 3. Take part in an Outward Bound residential programme. Pledge 4. Attend a national sporting, cultural event or performance at a major venue. Pledge 5. Take part in a major Academy production or event, in any capacity. Pledge 6. Take part in a formal presentation to an audience using ICT/multi media. Pledge 7. Be actively involved in an International experience. Pledge 8. Be actively involved in community experience, within or beyond the Academy. Pledge 9. Help plan, organise or participate in a major fund raising event within the Academy. Pledge 10. Contribute to the development of the concept of sustainability whilst at the Academy.

Students record the pledges they have achieved in a Pledge Passport. Each pledge must be signed off by the member of staff or organisation with whom they completed the tasks with. This is then recorded onto a database by students VMG tutors.

The pledges at Outwood Academy Newbold enable you to gain a wide variety of new and exciting experiences that can help you in the future. You might discover a new talent, learn new things and make new friends. By completing the pledges you are going to have lots of things to write on application forms for college and jobs when you leave school, which can separate you from other candidates in competitive areas. Most importantly you will build your confidence and achieve things you might never have thought possible.

Achieving Pledges helps you reach your potential, increases self-esteem, raises confidence, keep moving towards the next level of achievement, puts us on a path to success, increases expectations of ourselves, develops a positive work ethic and outlook on life.