Derbyshire students earn King’s Trust resilience qualification

Students from two Outwood schools are celebrating after completing a personal development programme designed to build self-belief, confidence, and community connection.

A total of 73 students from Outwood Academy Newbold in Chesterfield and Outwood Primary Academy Littleworth Grange in Barnsley completed the Developing Resilience qualification, awarded by The King’s Trust. Running weekly from April to July, the programme required students to complete three distinct units: one in 'Personal Resilience,' alongside units in 'Healthy Relationships' and 'Stronger Communities', with online assessments for each. 

The qualification directly complements Outwood Grange Academies Trust's (OGAT) 'Out There' initiative, which empowers young people to step outside their comfort zones and lead projects that deliver a positive impact in their local community.

Dave Booker, who coordinated the programme for Outwood Academy Newbold, said: “We were keen to take part in this collaboration because we saw it as a fantastic opportunity for our students to make a meaningful difference to their community through their Out There projects, while also developing their confidence, skills, and resilience.

“We know that students can encounter challenges, setbacks, and barriers when planning and delivering their projects, so developing resilience is a natural and important part of the experience. The Healthy Relationships and Stronger Communities units complement the ethos of Out There particularly well, helping students to develop an understanding of themselves, their relationships with others, and the positive contribution they can make to their community.”

To mark the achievement, Outwood Academy Newbold hosted a special celebration event for students, families, and friends. Each student who completed the programme was presented with an official certificate and a pin badge to wear proudly on their school blazer.