Personal Development at a DRET Academy - David Ross Education Trust

The Trust supports students to be confident, well-rounded young people who their communities can value and be proud of.

To achieve this, the Trust has embedded leadership programmes and extensive Outward Bound experiences throughout our academies.

Activity residentials

In the last academic year, over 500 children from the Trust’s primary schools have been able to enjoy overnight residentials, and students from the Trust’s secondary academies have been able to enjoy experiences across the globe.

Thanks to the generosity of the David Ross Foundation, the Trust sent 12 Year 10 pupils to St Vincent on an ecological and conservation project, and a further 16 on a three week programme into the Canadian wilderness.

Leadership

Two of our academies, Lodge Park and Havelock, have growing Combined Cadet Force units, encouraging young people to see the value of self discipline and self respect. Our academies also operate sports coaching programmes, debating courses with organisations such as The Kalisher Trust and undertake Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Yet, where students really excel, is in the role they play in shaping their academies. Student councils are a strong part of every DRET academy. They help determine rules and set the expectations and behaviour standards that their peers conform to.

Debating & Public Speaking

The Trust has a number of debating programmes running across both our secondary and primary academies. All Year 8 students, for example, attend public speaking workshops and in Year 9 take part in debating sessions. This programme concludes with the Trust’s Year 10 students having sessions in Critical Thinking and Debating. This culminates is an annual Debating Final at the Lakeside Theatre at the University of Nottingham.

Scholarships

Through the generous support of benefactors, our scholarship programmes enable the Trust to support every child, whatever their passion.

Our scholarships and bursaries include:

Programme	Purpose
Beckwith Scholarships	Awarded to the Trust's talented musicians at Malcolm Arnold Academy to help purchase instruments and their their talents and experiences.
Odey Scholarships	Awards of up to £1,000 to help any student pursue passion and interests they have a talent in.
The Stuart Horne Bursary	Students can access this fund to support Outward Bound opportunities and residentials.
Jigsaw Scholarships	Awarded to talented young artists at Lodge Park Academy to help buy art equipment.

Testimonial

“It gave me time to think of home, and think of the things I missed and the things I didn’t miss as much as I thought I would. It gave me time to learn, or at least remember, to be grateful. I think the experience made me more appreciative and for that I’m forever thankful.”

David Issekya

Student who went on an Outward Bound Canada Residential

Testimonial

“All children challenged themselves to climb a bit higher, go that bit further and surprised themselves with their achievements.”

Staff Member

Welton CE Academy