7 ways to engage students at school in 2023
Creating a favourable learning environment comes down to the methods a school uses to engage students.
Engaged students are more motivated, enthusiastic, and committed to their education, leading to improved academic performance and personal development.
Defining how schools should encompass career development within students’ education, The Gatsby Benchmark was introduced.
The Gatsby Benchmark is a guide for schools to follow. There are eight benchmarks:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from careers and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each student
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
In this blog post, we will explore seven innovative approaches that schools can implement to increase engagement with students and empower them to become active participants in their educational journey.
These approaches include work experience programmes, competitions, student ambassadors, environmental initiatives, surveys and feedback, educational workshops, and collaboration on social projects.
We’ve considered the Gatsby Benchmark in each of these points.
Work experience programmes
Work experience programmes play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom and its real-world application.
By collaborating with local businesses, organisations, and school suppliers, schools can offer students the opportunity to participate in work experiences, internships, and apprenticeships.
As a result, students are exposed to various career paths, enabling them to make informed decisions about their future and develop essential skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Furthermore, work experience programmes instil a sense of purpose and relevance in students’ studies, as they witness how their education directly translates into practical success.
This engagement also promotes a positive perception of the school’s commitment to students’ futures and strengthens ties between the institution and the community it serves.
Gatsby Benchmark check:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from careers and labour market information
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
Partner with organisations to create competitions
Take a moment to think of all the suppliers that work with your school. These suppliers could belong to a range of sectors that could add value to the curriculum by working with you to invent unique competitions to engage students.
For example, pupils could learn about the school’s catering providers and come up with a new menu based on the ingredients and facilities available.
Or they could learn about the retail and fashion sectors by hearing from the school’s uniform provider and being inspired to design a new uniform.
Involving students in the design and organisation of their school is an excellent way to foster a sense of ownership and pride in their educational institution.
Organising competitions encourages creativity and empowers students to express their individuality within established guidelines. By participating, students feel their opinions and preferences are valued, creating a stronger connection to the school’s identity and ethos.
Moreover, when students are given the chance to contribute to decisions, they’re more likely to adhere to policies willingly, leading to a more unified and harmonious school community.
Partnering with higher education providers to create competitions will also expose them to college and university environments. Therefore, they’ll also build up expectations and inspiration around what the next step in their education looks like.
Gatsby Benchmark check:
- Learning from careers and labour market information
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Encounters with further and higher education
Assign student ambassadors
Student ambassadors engage students and are key to building a positive and inclusive school culture. These selected representatives act as liaisons between students, teachers, and the administration, voicing their peers’ concerns and feedback.
Additionally, they can organise events, workshops, and social activities that reflect the interests and needs of the student body, promoting a vibrant campus life.
Being a student ambassador also enhances leadership skills, communication abilities, and empathy in students.
And the responsibility of representing their peers and school boosts their engagement and commitment to both academic and extracurricular pursuits.
Gatsby Benchmark check:
- Addressing the needs of each student
- Personal guidance
Environmental initiatives
Empowering students to take an active role in environmental initiatives is another way to engage students. This method not only promotes sustainability but also fosters a sense of global citizenship and responsibility.
Schools can implement eco-friendly practices and projects, such as recycling programmes, energy conservation campaigns, or establishing school gardens.
Engaging in environmental initiatives brings students together to work towards a common goal, nurturing teamwork and a sense of purpose beyond traditional academic pursuits.
Moreover, environmental consciousness aligns with the values of many younger generations, making it a relevant and compelling area for student engagement.
Similarly to creating competitions, you can work with suppliers to teach students how real-world businesses are working towards achieving net zero.
Gatsby Benchmark check:
- Learning from careers and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each student
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
Surveys and feedback
Regularly seeking students’ opinions through surveys and feedback mechanisms is a student-centric approach to education.
Schools can collect feedback on factors such as teaching methods, curriculum, extracurricular activities, and school facilities. By valuing and acting upon students’ suggestions, schools demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and responsiveness to their needs.
Anonymity can encourage honest responses and provide insights into areas that require attention.
When students witness tangible changes resulting from their feedback, they feel a greater sense of agency and connection with the school community.
Gatsby Benchmark check:
- Addressing the needs of each student
- Personal guidance
Educational workshops
Organising interactive and diverse educational workshops can inject excitement into the learning process and cater to varied student interests. These workshops can engage students by covering a wide range of subjects, including arts, sciences, technology, and life skills.
Hands-on workshops and activities promote active learning, encouraging students to engage with the subject matter beyond textbooks and traditional lectures.
Again, think about your school’s suppliers and local organisations that might like to be involved in offering their expertise. Guest speakers from different professions or higher education providers can inspire and offer valuable insights into potential career paths.
Gatsby Benchmark check:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from careers and labour market information
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
Collaboration on social projects
Encouraging students to collaborate on social projects fosters empathy and compassion and enhances their problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills.
Schools can partner with suppliers to identify issues that students can address through initiatives like fundraisers, awareness campaigns, or volunteering.
Collaborative social projects engage students and provide a sense of fulfilment and purpose as they witness the positive impact of their efforts on the community.
Such experiences nurture a sense of social responsibility and empower students to become active changemakers in the world.
Gatsby Benchmark check:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from careers and labour market information
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
Conclusion
It is a collective effort to engage students at school that involves educators, administrators, students, and the broader community.
The Gatsby Benchmark is a great way to keep the careers guidance you’re providing in check. Try to apply this to everything you do as a school.
By adopting approaches such as work experience programmes, competitions, student ambassadors, environmental initiatives, surveys and feedback, educational workshops, and collaboration on social projects, schools can create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that nurtures the potential of every student.
Engaged students not only achieve better academic outcomes but also develop essential life skills, social responsibility, and a strong sense of belonging.
Through these strategies, educational institutions can empower their students to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and compassionate leaders, poised to make a positive impact on the world.
