Personal Development 24-25
Brothers in Arms Initiative
At Community-Ed Academy, we believe that every young person has the potential to grow, achieve, and thrive when given the right support and guidance. In our small provision, we are committed to fostering personal development through tailored programmes and activities that address the unique needs of each student. We focus on helping students set meaningful goals and work towards them, encouraging self-discipline, resilience, and collaboration.
One example of our approach is the "Brothers in Arms" initiative. This programme was designed by these students key worker to motivate and inspire the students, to not only meet individual behavioural goals but also work together as a team. These Students of different year groups were given the opportunity to bond, support each other, and strive towards a common reward.
William, Edward and Riley undertook the programme, each with their own goals of achieving 100% attendance, treating others with respect and demonstrating excellent listening.
The students were encouraged to manage their behaviour to the highest standards, with the reward of a special group activity of bowling and pool if they were successful in demonstrating discipline, focus, and mutual respect. This initiative highlights our "out-of-the-box" thinking, where we use creative, engaging methods to help students stay motivated and feel empowered in their development journey.
Check out these great pictures of our Brothers in Arms, celebrating their achievements with a well-earned reward. Beyond just a fun activity, this experience provided a valuable opportunity for the students to bond, support, and encourage each other in a real-world setting. By working together and reaching their goals, they not only earned this reward but also developed crucial skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. These moments of shared success are key learning tools, helping to strengthen relationships and build confidence for future challenges.
Celebrating 100% Attendance
At our school, we believe that every student deserves a tailored approach to help them succeed. A recent success story is Jenson, whose journey with us highlights how personalised support can make a real difference.
Before joining our school, Jenson struggled with attendance and found it difficult to engage in his previous setting. Understanding the challenges he faced, we carefully planned a gradual transition, allowing him to start with us after the October half-term at a pace that felt comfortable and achievable.
Building a strong and trusting relationship with Jenson was our top priority. Early on, we worked to identify his interests and use them as motivation. One passion stood out—Sonic the Hedgehog—so we set a clear, exciting goal: if Jenson could achieve 100% attendance up until Christmas, he would earn a cinema voucher to watch Sonic 3.
To help him stay on track, we provided weekly check-ins, offering encouragement and helping him problem-solve any challenges along the way. To make the journey even more engaging, we took an extra step—each week, Jenson received a personalised letter from Sonic himself, cheering him on and reminding him of his progress (see below). These letters became a huge motivator, and Jenson was so proud of them that he took them home to show his mum.
And the result? Jenson achieved 100% attendance for the half-term! He not only earned his cinema ticket but also proved to himself that he can succeed in an area that had once felt impossible. We are incredibly proud of Jenson’s determination and perseverance, and we know that this achievement means a great deal to him.
This success story reflects our commitment to thinking outside the box when supporting students—meeting them where they are, aligning our strategies with their interests, and making their goals feel attainable and rewarding. Jenson’s journey is proof that with the right approach, every student has the potential to thrive.
Dear Jenson,
Hey there, buddy! It’s Sonic here – the fastest hedgehog alive, zooming in to say you’re doing an awesome job so far! I hear you’re working on something super important: being in school every day. That’s a real hero move, pal!
I know it’s not always easy, but let me tell you, showing up every day is just like running through Green Hill Zone – it’s all about staying focused and keeping your eyes on the goal. You’ve got the speed, determination, and heart to power through these next few weeks like a true champ.
Here’s the deal: if you can manage to hit school every single day until Christmas, I’ll help make something cool happen. A cinema ticket to see Sonic 3! How awesome is that? You’ll get to kick back, relax, and join me on another epic adventure.
Remember, Jenson, every day you’re in school is like collecting those shiny rings – one step closer to an awesome reward. So, keep dashing forward, and don’t let anything slow you down. You’ve got this!
Catch you later, superstar!
Your speedy pal,
Sonic the Hedgehog
Dear Jenson,
YES! You did it, buddy! 100% attendance—wow, I’m so impressed! You’ve powered through like a true hero, and now it’s time to celebrate your incredible achievement.
Your hard work and determination have paid off, and I couldn’t be prouder. You’ve shown everyone just how awesome and unstoppable you can be. It’s not easy to keep going day after day, but you’ve done it, and that makes you a real champion in my book.
And now for the best part—you’ve earned your reward! You’ve got a cinema voucher to see Sonic 3, and guess what? It includes popcorn too! So you can kick back, relax, and enjoy the movie with all the excitement and snacks you deserve.
Keep being your amazing self, Jenson. You’re a true legend, and I can’t wait to see all the other amazing things you’ll achieve.
Catch you at the movies, superstar!
Your biggest fan,
Sonic the Hedgehog
How a Card Game and a Song Helped Riley Stay Engaged with Learning
At Community-Ed, we believe that students who feel safe, valued, and happy in school are better equipped to learn, grow, and thrive. It’s one of our core values, and we work hard to create an environment where every student feels this way. Supporting our students' wellbeing isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach — we constantly look for new, creative, and sometimes unconventional ways to help our students manage life’s challenges and stay connected to their education.
One brilliant example of this is how we’ve supported Riley in school. Like many young people, Riley sometimes finds the school environment overwhelming. To help manage these moments, we offer a range of supportive strategies — from quiet time in a calm space to joining in with a quick card game to take his mind off the stress and re-regulate.
Riley discovered a particular love for the card game Exploding Kittens (don’t worry — no actual kittens involved!). What began as a light-hearted, therapeutic activity to ease stress soon turned into something much bigger. Riley enjoyed the game so much that he was inspired to write a song about it with our music teacher, Nathan. This creative outlet gave Riley something to look forward to and a new reason to stay engaged with school. Knowing he had the opportunity to create and share his music became a powerful motivator for him.
In a lovely twist, we reached out to the creators of Exploding Kittens to share Riley’s song, and they replied with genuine enthusiasm and kindness. They sent Riley a complimentary game and a heartfelt letter encouraging him to finish his song — a wonderful reminder of how positive actions can spark more positivity in return.
Riley’s story is a fantastic example of what happens when we think outside the box, use creativity therapeutically, and find new ways to engage our students. Huge thanks to Exploding Kittens for their encouragement, and to Nathan (@nathanhawdonmusic) for supporting Riley’s creative journey.
We invite you to take a listen to Riley’s song — a testament to resilience, creativity, and the magic that happens when young people are given the freedom to express themselves in school.
