Aylward Entitlement: Aspire 5
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All students at Aylward access the Aylward Entitlement. This is an intentionally selected and spiralled enrichment offer that provides Aylward students the opportunity to have experiences that build cultural and social capital, preparing them to lead long, happy and successful lives that leave a positive legacy.
Our Aspire 5 Entitlement trips are planned into our school calendar so they support the delivery of our Knowledge rich curriculum.
Our Aspire 5 provides our students knowledge and experiences that will make a valued contribution to their lives. Throughout their 7 year learning journey all students will have the opportunity to experience a broad range of experiences:
Arts & culture: For example: Drama & theatre productions, Musicals, Art Gallery, Museum visit, Historical landmark.
Science & Nature: For example: Science center, nature reserve, field trips
Sporting event: For example: Participating or spectating: Team sports, individual sports, outdoor activities, dance and fitness class
Community & careers: For example: Local Library, Millfield theatre, Volunteering, University visits, Employment visits.
Academic: For example: Literacy trip, Maths trip, Languages trip, Rewards trip, STEM & Technology, Media & photography.
This academic year students will experience the following:
We are proud to offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) at Lift School, providing our students with an exciting opportunity to develop confidence, resilience and independence beyond the classroom.
The DofE programme encourages young people to challenge themselves through four key sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition. At Gold level, students also complete a Residential section. Through these experiences, students build essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication and problem-solving.
As DofE Co-ordinator, my aim is to ensure that every participant feels supported, challenged and proud of their achievements. The programme is inclusive and accessible, allowing students to tailor their sections to their own interests and strengths. Whether it’s learning a new skill, supporting the local community, improving physical fitness, or completing an expedition, each student’s journey is unique and rewarding.
The expedition element is often a highlight for our students, as it fosters teamwork, resilience and independence in a real-world environment. Students learn how to plan routes, manage equipment, cook independently and support one another to achieve a shared goal.
Taylor Woodrow:
Taylor Woodrow, a large construction contractor delivering the Strategic Infrastructure Works (SIW) at Meridian Water, partnered with Lift Aylward at the start of the last academic year. Across the winter months, the ‘Plan and Pitch’ project began, with 12 after-school sessions for students in year 9, aged 13 to 14.
27 students competed in five teams to redesign their playground space. Every week, a new design discipline was introduced with construction experts visiting to lead specialist workshops. Towards the end of the project, students pitched their final proposals to a VIP panel of judges and a winning design was chosen.
Over the summer holidays, Taylor Woodrow and their supply chain partners then transformed the design into reality. What was once a sloping playground that flooded, is now an attractive and accessible zone for leisure, learning, games, outdoor eating and gardening. There is a rain garden and a shelter incorporated in the design, to ensure it can be enjoyed in the wet weather.
Within the 12 weeks, school participants were also lucky enough to attend a reward trip to a live construction site in West London, going behind the hoarding to see a major infrastructure project up close. Several students are now discussing work experience with Lift Aylward and Taylor Woodrow.
One of the students in the winning team, said:
"Plan and Pitch has been an amazing experience for me. I got to bring my ideas to life while working in a team. We put a lot of thought in to the design to ensure the new cohort of Year 7 students had a fun yet sustainable playground"
Principal of Lift Aylward, Joseph Lawlor said:
“Lift Aylward is proud to celebrate the opening of a brand-new playground for Year 7 students, made possible by the generosity of Taylor Woodrow and partners through the Plan and Pitch initiative. Thanks to the successful bid secured by one of our assistant principals, Jo O’Gorman, and the creativity of our talented Year 9 students, the playground now boasts a rock garden, seating areas, basketball and table tennis facilities.
“This exciting new space will give younger students a safe, welcoming place to play, build friendships and thrive — a lasting legacy of Taylor Woodrow’s commitment to young people and our community.”
Assistant Principal Jo O Gorman said:
“Our students had an incredible experience, with the team at Taylor Woodrow giving us so much - including work experience and project experience, to build a lasting legacy for our pupils.”
At the official opening to prospective parents at Lift Aylward, Josh Spavins from Taylor Woodrow said:
“The idea behind this project was to leave a genuine tangible legacy in the community. We hoped to inspire young people by helping them experience a variety of construction careers; 93% of participants are now exploring careers in the industry. My colleagues and supply chain partners have enjoyed the project as much as the students. As a collective, we’re all proud of what has been achieved in collaboration. Construction is a wonderful industry to be a part of, and we look forward to seeing more bright young minds join.”
