Global Perspectives Offers a Focus for Good Deeds

Leighton Park is the only school in the UK which offers the Global Perspectives iGCSE to its Year 11 students as a compulsory qualification. We do this because we place such value on the international outlook, the increased awareness of political and social issues and the enhanced understanding of how to make a difference in the world. The Global Perspectives iGCSE not only prepares students for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the Sixth Form but also aligns with our Quaker Values. 

 Part of the course encourages students to get involved with a good cause by requiring them to research and plan an awareness raising campaign which can also be linked to fundraising. 

 On Friday 20th October two of our Global Perspectives groups showcased their work to the whole School community during Collect raising awareness for the Shark Trust and for Ben Kinsella Trust, charities campaigning respectively against shark hunting and shark finning and against knife crime amongst young people. 

 The Shark Trust group performed an amusing skit involving Rafe charging around Main Hall in a shark costume whilst delivering a serious message against the cruel practices of finning sharks. Louis (Year 11) explained why he believes raising awareness for the cause is so important “I believe shark finning awareness is important as it’s a problem becoming more prominent, and the shark population is rapidly declining”.  The group have also designed some postcards featuring sharks which they plan to print and sell at the School’s Christmas Fair in December. 

 Will was brave enough to sacrifice his hair for a good cause, raising awareness of the work on the Ben Kinsella Trust. The charity campaign against knife crime amongst young people focussing on education in schools and teaching teenagers about the dangers of carrying knives. Will’s head shave was undertaken by the highest bidder for the honour of wielding the clippers, Dara, who exclaimed, “I don’t know what I’m doing; how do I do this?”; a reassuring start for Will! The donations have come rolling in to watch Will’s lock hit the stage in Main Hall and a grand total of £660 was raised altogether. Cameron (Year 11) explained “It’s a rising issue, especially for young people. At my primary school we had someone who was a victim to knife crime so for some of us it’s a personal issue we want to raise money for”.