Character Development

Beyond grades

In addition to excellent academic results, we consider it essential to help young people develop the qualities and attributes they will need to succeed at school, university and in life beyond.

Good grades are important (and still the main way universities select candidates) but once a young person has obtained a university place or a job, it is their abilities to communicate well, solve problems they haven’t seen before, work with others, overcome difficulties and so on, that are far more important.

Intelligence is what you use when you don’t know what to do.

– Jean Piaget, child development psychologist

Learner Habits

Encouraging students to form good habits for future success

Hastings staff and students have worked together to come up with the 8 Learner Habits we feel students should develop during their time at school.

The way our teachers teach is vital in helping young people develop these qualities. We provide an environment where young people learn to think critically and creatively, work effectively with each other, take responsibility for their own learning and so on.

In addition, the wide range of extra-curricular activities and trips provide opportunities for students to extend their learning outside the classroom and develop their confidence.

Education can be a very passive experience where students learn to become dependent on their teachers for 'the answer'.

This approach can produce reasonable examination results but is not good preparation for real life. Hastings students need to learn to think for themselves, achieve true intelligence, and become well-rounded individuals.

8 Learner Habits

Duke of Edinburgh

The Duke of Edinburgh´s Award is a well-respected and globally recognised award that represents determination, commitment, environmental awareness and displays great teamwork and communication skills.

Students achieve the award through a one-hour weekly commitment to a sport, skill and volunteering role. The award culminates in a two day expedition in which students learn vital skills like mapping, camping and team work.

At Hastings we care about learning. Care about people and Care about the world.

At Hastings we explicitly design our approach to education to help students develop these attributes and emerge ready to face the next phase of their life with confidence.
Therefore, by achieving the Duke of Edinburgh´s Award students will only be propelled further along this pathway.

Therefore the Duke of Edinburgh´s Award is a perfect opportunity for our learners to expand their life experience and enhance their education while building team skills, personal character development all while being in the outdoors.

“Our vision is to ensure students are equipped to succeed at school, university and in life beyond. We want students to enjoy school, fulfil their academic potential and develop the skills and attributes they will need once they leave education: to work as part of a team, empathise with others, speak multiple languages, think critically and so on.”

– Borja Angulo, Head of PE department

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