Your Apex
What is APEX?
APEX is an exciting student leadership programme that was launched to Year 7 students in 2016. The programme has been designed to develop key life skills and attributes that all employers are looking for and that embody the culture of the school.
These are:
Why do we need Student Leadership activities?
Employers, Colleges and Apprenticeship providers will all be looking for the same attributes as us and we want to make sure every student has the opportunity to develop them during their time at Beaumont Leys School. It is more important than ever that our students leave school as well rounded individuals ready to embrace the challenges they may face.
How is APEX structured?
Year 7
Our aim is for all Year 7 students to complete a personal journey towards their own BLS APEX. APEX is built around the theme of mountain climbing and the willpower and determination necessary to reach the highest peak.
Students will complete three levels over the year, with a fourth and final level a possibility for those that finish the first three. These are:
BASE: 5 entry level activities (1 for each APEX attribute)
ASCENT: 5 midlevel activities (1 for each APEX attribute)
SUMMIT: 5 higher level activities (1 for each APEX attribute)
Once they have completed the three levels, they may also opt to complete the APEX task which is a challenging project focusing on one chosen attribute e.g. Organise a charity lunch for the elderly to demonstrate kindness. However, students are encouraged to go above and beyond with these tasks and complete as many as they can for each attribute.
Year 8
In Year 8, students are introduced to key study skills and different revision methods. As with APEX in Year 7, students will complete three levels: Base, Ascent and Summit. Each level contains a booklet with a variety of activities relating to different subjects and revision methods. To complete each level, students need to demonstrate the APEX ‘attributes’ through completing tasks in their booklets. These attributes include resilience, perseverance and effort when completing the revision tasks; encouraging them to overcome any difficulties without giving up. Introducing students to a variety of revision techniques provides them with the opportunity to develop the necessary study skills needed to prepare them for Key Stage 4 and allows them to decide which revision techniques work best for them. Students have the chance to earn badges for the completion of each level and achieve prizes throughout the year if they are nominated by their tutors for their excellent work.
Year 9
In Year 9, each student will get the opportunity to take part in a day of work experience within school. On their allocated day, students will work as a subject assistant alongside a teacher. Depending on which subject they are working in, their day will typically involve spending some of the day supporting their teacher as a Teaching Assistant helping younger students. They will also get involved in doing some administrative work. Students and teachers who have been involved in APEX9 have spoken very positively of their experiences. For our students this acts as fantastic precursor to help to prepare them for their full week of work experience in Year 10. On completion of their day of work experience, students are presented with an embossed certificate that includes details some of the employability skills that they demonstrated. They are also given feedback on what they can do to try to develop their employability skills further.
How is APEX evidenced?
Each student has an APEX evidence booklet for each of the levels above. Time will be allocated for students to complete their evidence booklets once a week during tutor time. Students will be expected to collect evidence through completing their activities. Evidence can range from school based evidence stickers to photos and letters. Students will be expected to complete this independently and to organise their booklet neatly during their tutor times.
Once their tutor is satisfied that they have completed all of the activities for a level, students will be put forward to receive their certificate and badge during a special APEX assembly before they move onto the subsequent level.
How can parents or carers help their children achieve APEX?
APEX offers something different to students at Beaumont Leys and we hope that you will be as excited about the opportunities it will provide for your son/daughter as we are. We know that employers, colleges and universities value student participation in extra-curricular opportunities and the skills they develop through it. Please do talk to your son/daughter about APEX and encourage them to take up opportunities (at school and outside of school) of activities that can be evidenced as part of their APEX journey. Students will have to leave their APEX booklets at school but can bring home worksheets that suggest tasks that can be completed at home. Tutors will encourage their groups to complete tasks outside of school.
Who can you contact for further information?
If you have any questions about APEX, please feel free to get in touch with us at School.