The Learning Challenge course is a new course for Year 7 students that began in September 2008.The course is an exciting opportunity to equip students with the skills that they need to be successful learners at Patchway Community College. It responds to the needs of the Personal Learning and Thinking Skills in the new National Curriculum and builds on principles that we have already embedded in such programmes as Learning to Learn, Building Learning power and Ready to Learn.

There is a team of five staff who deliver four lessons a week to a tutor group in a specially designed classroom that encourages learning and risk-taking through a supportive and vibrant atmosphere.

Students undertake a range of project work such as the Puppet Project, Good to Grow and Model Schools that develop and practice such skills as team-work, communication, creativity and reflection and the year’s work finishes with all students presenting their work to parents, staff and governors on a dedicated evening in July.