This Is Culture

Culture is widely celebrated within the Academy for all year groups. At Don Valley Academy we designed our curriculum to be ambitious and designed to give all learners the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. This is driven though the TIC or “This Is Culture” programme.

There are various opportunities in a variety of settings that allow students to actively participate and engage in learning about different cultures, customs, and traditions around the world.

Students are able to participate and engage in a variety of different events that enhance their cultural capital and awareness. These events have allowed students to widen their horizons on various events that happen from local to global scales.

There are opportunities to take part in one-off events that showcase culture around the world – e.g. International Languages Day, World Food Day, Harvest Festival, and opportunities to learn and understand religious events and celebrations that broaden horizons for all to become global citizens, embedding the elements of acceptance and tolerance to all within the Academy and wider community

September 2024

September saw the launch of weekly TIC sessions in tutor time, looking at popular music from the 70s to 90s with a focus on different musicians from different eras with different styles of music, allowing students to learn about musicians and listen to a variety of different music they may not to at home.

students were able to engage in tutor time a session about the importance of food and water around the world and how it affects the lives of many. Some students also took part in a Great International Bake Off as an additional enrichment activity where students could bake items from different continents of the world, expanding their culinary skills.

In October, students were able to support the local foodbank by bringing in items to support the drive to the local community by bringing in items for those in need. Students also had a session about the importance of the Harvest Festival to local people.

students were able to experience a Remembrance Service in the Academy with a small procession of students laying wreaths outside. Students each designed a cross and poppy that were displayed around the Academy to remember those who had fallen and to recognise the significance of the event. A live performance of the Last Post was also done for students to listen to the sounds of what a typical Remembrance Service would be like.

Students again competed against each tutor group to construct a hamper that would go to local food banks in the community to support local families over the festive period. Students were able to understand the importance of charity, the need for food banks and why it is important for the local community to receive donations.

Students in Year 7-9 have come into school listening to some of the musical songs that they have learned about in This is Culture sessions and have been asked different questions about what they remember about each one. Students have been able to listen to a variety of different musicals set on different themes including mental health, inclusivity, and the importance of the arts as a whole, expanding their cultural capital.

over this month, students have had the opportunity to engage with important themes centred around acceptance and tolerance to different groups. Students have had tutor and assembly sessions focussed on the history of LGBT+ rights around the world and the barriers that this community have had to overcome. Students have also designed hearts that will be on display around the Academy showcasing positive messages about the community.

International Mother Language Day (March 2024)

At the start of the month, students had the opportunity to speak different languages to members of staff in the Academy by saying ‘hello’ or other greetings as they either enter lessons or walk around the building. Students were able to hear and were exposed to different languages from students who regularly speak this language, promoting the diverse student body we have. Over 150 students across the school actively engaged in the activity, expanding knowledge of different languages that are spoken.

World Heritage Day (April 2024)

Students in Form Time were able to understand the importance and meaning of heritage sites and became more aware of the significance of world landmarks and natural settings. It links heavily to some of the prior work that students have been exposed to in previous This is Culture sessions where students embarked on a learning discovery on various iconic landmarks, which students now have the understanding to see why they should be protected at all costs.

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (April 2024)

Students in Form Time had a session on the importance of this day in terms of how sport has driven the world forward to promote peace and restore relations between different nations and groups of people. Students have the opportunity across school to engage in an information hunting game where students can learn about different international sports and find out about where they originate, any specific rules in the sport and the significance of promoting peace. This has helped to boost cultural capital to become more aware of other sports that they may not be exposed to in PE.

World Day for Cultural Diversity (May 2024)

students were taught in Form Time about the importance and significance of different cultures and the awareness to understand that diversity is positive for the community of the school. Students across school were able to discover more about 20 different cultures and their traditions through a trail competition that students could take part in. This has allowed students to open their eyes to how different cultures are important for people from all over the world.

D-Day 80th Anniversary (6th June 2024)

This week in tutor time students reflected on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. “On 6 June we remember those who gave their lives in the summer of 1944 in the cause of freedom.” General Lord Dannatt, Chairman of Trustees, Normandy Memorial Trust

World Day Against Child Labour (June 2024)

students in their Assembly slot were taught about the importance of removing child labour and the reasons for having a minimum age of employment in many countries around the world. It allowed students to become more aware of how dangerous child labour is and the dangers of it continuing in many developing nations. Students were able to form opinions and make judgement on whether this should be banned to protect their generation in other countries from around the world.

Friday Gate Crashing Questions (June 2024)

Students on their entry to the Academy have been asked questions regarding different international sports that they will have learnt about during the This is Culture session in Form Time to consolidate their understanding on the sport. They have had the opportunity to see what some of the equipment may look like for some of the sports to understand more about why these sports have become so influential and popular in different areas around the world. It has also encouraged students to think about the benefits of exercise and sport for physical and mental health.

Nelson Mandela International Day (July 2024)

Students in Form Time will be able to learn about the importance of Nelson Mandela to understand the significance of his journey as a figurehead in politics. Students were able to understand the importance of fighting injustice and promoting social equality.

The This Is Culture weekly sessions gives students access to facts and information outside of the curriculum. The TIC session is one 20-minute session per week. Through this session students will study the work of various composers, writers, and artists. It is designed to give students the opportunity to listen to a variety of music and experience different artwork and multiple texts.

In Addition to the weekly TIC session work is completed inside the Home Learning Booklets which students can then revisit to reflect on learning in the session. This session helps students practice and embed the skills of the reading strategy and collaborative structures, including Speak for my Team, designed to improve and acquire oracy skills which can be used across DVA.

Students can participate in enrichments which can also broaden their scope on various culture around the world.

This year, This is Culture is being implemented for all year groups following the same scheme of learning.

The main themes of study are as follows:

The wide scope of topics allows students to apply new knowledge into various aspects of the curriculum, as well as build their understanding and curiosity around these themes.

These themes allow them to build a wider understanding of different aspects of culture which they can implement into their own Academic and wider community lives. Some of these topics also link to some of the experiences a typical student would expect to participate in during their time at the Academy.

This is Culture (HT4):

This half term, we are looking at key influential people across a variety of different academic backgrounds. Students will engage in tasks during This is Culture relating to various figures including Tim Marshall, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, and Sir Grayson Perry. These people have been chosen by staff from various departments across the Academy via departmental voice as it links into their learning journeys, thus extending their wider knowledge on people who have major connections to the core aspects of what they are studying during their time at DVA. This theme has also been selected for students to become more aware of the importance of these influential people and the impact that they have had on society. The impact of these sessions on students is monumental as it interweaves current and past learning with new knowledge that allows them to expand their cultural capital and capability to become more active global citizens who can then discuss and form ideas and opinions on the importance of these influential people in terms of the subject they relate to and the wider impact they have created.