After speaking to the most authoritative figure in the school, we have gained an insight into the background of Learning Challenge and how our headteacher, Mr Mitchell, thinks this week will be beneficial to our school and its students.

Some skills that Mr Mitchell believes will be improved and worked on further during this week are time management, negotiation techniques and ultimately believes so strongly that it is events like these which will prepare students for success later on in terms other than academic achievement. Our Headteacher believes that a job for your future requires much more than just qualifications and thinks character development and being able to connect and compromise with colleagues and those around you is much more beneficial than any academic achievement and that Learning Challenge Week will kick start this process.

In terms of appreciation for the teachers at Parklands Academy, Mr Mitchell is very grateful for his staff and even does Thursday Thank yous during staff briefing to go through how the teachers have done things to benefit other each week. Because pay and that form of appreciation is chosen and put in place by the government, Mr Mitchell told our reporters that he likes to make sure the teachers know they are appreciated within the school and things like Learning Challenge give teachers a chance to work on other tasks rather than normal school work which is exactly the same for the students. By doing this week it gives both students and teachers a chance to try something new.

Mr Mitchell believes that weeks like Learning challenge, the SECURE and ASPIRE programmes, the leadership SSLT opportunity for the students, and the teacher and student relationships that allow students to feel more comfortable in Parklands.

Learning Challenge week is very beneficial for its students.