Academic preparation matters, but preparing young people well for what comes next requires more than subject knowledge alone.
That thinking sits behind The Trails & Fells, a new curriculum initiative for Year 7 and Year 8 pupils at Sedbergh Prep School which brings together academic learning, character development and practical life skills.
Drawing inspiration from the landscape surrounding Sedbergh, the programme is built around two complementary ideas. The Trails represent the structured pathways of academic learning, helping pupils build the knowledge, study habits, digital skills and intellectual confidence they need as they progress towards senior school.
The Fells look beyond the classroom. Through dedicated curriculum time, pupils are encouraged to explore, take responsibility, work with others, encounter new experiences and develop greater independence.
Building character through experience
Across Years 7 and 8, the programme develops skills including leadership, teamwork, self-management, critical thinking, responsible decision-making and practical capabilities such as cooking, budgeting and first aid.
The Sedbergh HARK values of Humility, Ambition, Resilience and Kindness provide a thread throughout the programme, with each term exploring themes designed to connect academic learning with the wider qualities young people need in school, work and life.
For Year 7, the opening focus is Belonging and New Beginnings, helping pupils establish strong habits for independent learning while building confidence and a sense of community.
Year 8 moves towards Leadership and Responsibility, with pupils developing more advanced study techniques alongside communication, decision-making, mentoring and leadership skills as they prepare for senior school.
Education for the next stage — and beyond
The Trails & Fells reflects a wider principle across Sedbergh Schools Group: that education should equip young people not simply to succeed academically, but to approach new challenges with confidence, curiosity, resilience and a sense of responsibility towards others.
Zoe Charlton, Deputy Head (Academic) at Sedbergh Prep School, said:
“Academic excellence will always be at the heart of what we do, but we also recognise the importance of developing the personal qualities that enable young people to thrive beyond the classroom.
“We want our pupils to leave Sedbergh Prep as well-rounded young people who are not only academically prepared for senior school but who also possess the character, resilience and independence to make a positive contribution wherever life takes them.”
The new programme forms an integral part of the curriculum at Sedbergh Prep, creating purposeful opportunities for pupils to put learning into practice and discover more about themselves, one another and the world beyond the classroom.
