We have had some excellent drop down events over the last few months here at CoDA, and we’d love to share them with you.

On the 26th March we had the amazing Oddballs charity in to talk to our Year 9 boys about self examinations. Miss McQuilton, our Head of PSHE, spoke to the girls. We want our students to learn about self-examinations as part of PSHE and statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) to develop body awareness, recognise signs of illness or change early, build confidence in seeking medical help, and promote lifelong habits that support personal health, wellbeing, and informed decision-making.

On the 12th March we had Agustus Stewart in to talk to our Y10 students about the impact of gangs and violence. The students were incredible and listened brilliantly, several students also approached Miss McQuilton to request copies of his book in the library! Students need to learn about gang violence as part of PSHE and statutory RSHE to help them recognise risk factors, understand the impact of exploitation and criminal behaviour, develop strategies to stay safe, build resilience against peer pressure, and know how to seek support and report concerns to trusted adults or services.

On the 7th May we had Sally Siner from Prevent in to talk about extremism with Y10. Sally delivered a brilliant drop down session and emailed me a review of how fantastic our students were:

“I’m Sally Siner, Community Safety Manager for Derby City Council. I’ve attended CoDA several times over the years and always enjoy my visits. Most recently I’ve delivered a workshop on Identity and Extremism for year 10 along with workshops on prejudice and discrimination for year 8s a few months ago. 

I always find both staff and students at CoDA to be very welcoming and the environment a calm and focused one. Students are well behaved and friendly. It impresses me that many students will happily chat with me or offer polite greetings when I meet with them for the first time – this is not to be underestimated, such confidence and maturity will stand them in good stead in life.” 

On the 21st April we had Talkconsent in to talk to our Y8 regarding the importance of communicating consent. Students need to learn about consent as part of PSHE and statutory RSHE to understand personal boundaries, respect for themselves and others, healthy relationships, the importance of clear and ongoing permission, and how to recognise and respond to unsafe, coercive, or abusive situations both offline and online. From the student voice students found it interesting and found it important to learn about. 

We are excited to announce we have more drop down sessions upcoming. On 9th June, we have a Y11 discussion about pregnancy and a Y7 session about money.