A new academic year brings new priorities and a familiar challenge for schools and nurseries, how do we prepare children and young people not only to succeed academically, but to thrive beyond the classroom?
At Edsidera, our award programmes help schools turn personal development and life skills into meaningful, practical experiences, without creating significant additional workload for staff.
Personal development should be meaningful, measurable and easy to embed.
Beginning in the early years, Little Star builds on the foundations already being developed in nurseries and schools, encouraging children to practise independence, resilience, confidence, responsibility and positive habits in real-life situations. Simple, age-appropriate challenges help children take what they are learning and apply it beyond the classroom.
As children progress, Rising Star expands that journey into the skills and experiences increasingly important for their future. Through practical challenges spanning entrepreneurship, sustainability, financial awareness, wellbeing, independence, community engagement and essential life skills, children are encouraged to problem-solve, take responsibility and experience learning in action.
From entrepreneurship and sustainability to resilience and independence, learning becomes something children experience, not simply something they are taught.
For secondary students, Future Leader focuses on the leadership traits and future-readiness skills young people need as they move towards adulthood. From communication, independence and employability to building meaningful experiences and preparing for university applications and life beyond school, students develop skills they can reflect upon, evidence and draw on as they take their next steps.
Edsidera also supports the development of educators. Through collaboration with leading education consultant Claire Gadsby, CPD Pathways provides CPD UK-verified professional development for teachers, middle leaders and senior leaders, creating structured opportunities for continued professional growth at every stage of an educator’s career.
Development shouldn’t stop with students. Edsidera supports growth from early years through to teachers and school leaders.
Why schools choose Edsidera
- Everything you need to get started – Launch, communication and implementation resources are provided, making it easy to introduce the programmes across your school or nursery.
- Real evidence of personal development – Digital evidence portfolios capture experiences, achievements and student reflection, creating a meaningful record of learning beyond the classroom.
- Reduced staff workload – Schools using the app can choose for Edsidera to manage evidence approvals on their behalf.
- Visibility for school leaders – Dedicated dashboards provide valuable insight into participation, engagement and progress.
- Inclusive by design – Our partnership with Widgit enables us to provide symbol-friendly resources, making our award programmes more accessible and supporting a wider range of learners.
- Achievement worth celebrating – Certificates, badges and medals give learners tangible recognition and create opportunities to celebrate success across the wider school community.
For Little Star and Rising Star, schools can choose between our digital app experience or printed award booklets for a more hands-on approach.
Edsidera provides the structure, resources and support, so schools can focus on the impact.
From a child taking their first steps towards independence, to a teenager developing the leadership skills and experiences that will support university, employment and adulthood, Edsidera creates opportunities for development at every stage. And that journey doesn’t stop with students. Through Claire Gadsby CPD Pathways, teachers, middle leaders and senior leaders can continue their own structured professional development and growth.
Together, our programmes give schools and nurseries a connected approach to development across their whole community. They complement what schools already do, reduce the burden of implementation and create meaningful opportunities for learners and educators to grow.
Developing the skills, confidence and leadership to thrive at every stage of the education journey.
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Further Reading
- After-School Tutoring, Does Your Child Need Extra Support?
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