At Prince Henry’s Grammar School, located in the Leeds suburb of Otley, ASDAN’s Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE) Level 3 course is a valued component of the school’s sixth-form enrichment programme. Making a significant impact on learners, CoPE provides an opportunity to gain essential life skills, enhance employability, and earn additional UCAS points – ultimately broadening students’ future options.
Victoria Robinson-Junni, Student Leadership and Post-16 Manager and Professional/Vocational Pathway Co-ordinator at Prince Henry’s, shares her experience of the course and its positive impact on students.
Filling the gap in enrichment
Prince Henry’s has long maintained a strong enrichment offer, providing a wide range of opportunities for sixth-form students. However, following a review of student and parent feedback, Victoria and her colleagues identified a gap in the curriculum.
“We realised we had nothing specifically focused on developing key employability and life skills,” Victoria explains. “We wanted a course that would give students practical experience in leadership, teamwork and independent learning, while also helping them explore their future career options. CoPE Level 3 fit that need perfectly.”
With a sixth-form cohort of nearly 400 students, CoPE is offered as an accredited enrichment option alongside A-levels and BTECs. Due to the depth and structure of the course, Prince Henry’s runs a single mixed Year 12 and Year 13 group, ensuring a rich and varied learning experience.
Why CoPE? The benefits for learners
When researching available options, Victoria found that ASDAN’s CoPE stood out for its flexibility and real-world relevance.
“The six core skill areas – including career planning, work-related learning and global awareness – were exactly what we wanted our students to engage with. It’s not just about gaining qualifications; it’s about preparing students for what comes next, whether that’s university, an apprenticeship or employment.”
A key strength of CoPE is its adaptability to individual learners’ needs. “Some students use the course to focus on career exploration, while others apply it to reinforce academic skills relevant to their university goals. The programme’s flexibility makes it unique,” she says.
And with up to 16 UCAS points available, CoPE can be crucial in helping students meet university entry requirements.
Real-life impact
The value of CoPE at Prince Henry’s is best seen through the achievements of its students. Victoria recalls one learner who aspired to study nursing but was unsure she would meet the necessary entry criteria.
“She was taking 2.5 A-levels and needed to resit GCSE English. Through CoPE, she explored alternative pathways and discovered a university foundation course in nursing she hadn’t previously considered. The additional UCAS points from CoPE helped secure her place – it made a huge difference to her future.”
Another memorable success involved a student from a family with no history of university attendance or full-time employment.
“He struggled with engagement at first, but as part of CoPE, he secured a weekend job in a restaurant kitchen. That led to a full-time apprenticeship after Year 13. He’s now a qualified chef at a prestigious restaurant and living independently. Without CoPE guiding him towards that first opportunity, his path could have been very different.”
Enhancing academic performance
CoPE’s impact extends beyond employability to wider academic success.
“The course improves organisation, communication and research skills – all vital for A-level success and beyond,” says Victoria. “One student even linked her CoPE research project to her A-level Film Studies coursework, deepening her subject knowledge and boosting her presentation skills.”
Learning by doing: hands-on projects
CoPE’s emphasis on practical, hands-on learning is one of its standout features. Victoria highlights a recent project in which students organised a food bank appeal for their local community.
“Each student took on a specific role – one wrote an article for the local newspaper, another created a presentation for sixth-form students, while others managed logistics and marketing. It was a great example of collaboration and purpose.”
The project culminated in students delivering the donations and volunteering at the food bank. “It’s one thing to talk about social responsibility – it’s another to act on it and see the real-world impact. That’s what makes CoPE so powerful.”
Staff and senior leaders have praised the course’s positive ripple effect across the school. “Our students’ projects, especially the food bank initiative, have been featured in the local press. It’s raised the school’s profile and reinforced the importance of community engagement,” Victoria adds.
Support from ASDAN
Since implementing the programme, Prince Henry’s has received strong support from ASDAN.
“ASDAN’s training and guidance were invaluable, especially during the early stages and the disruption caused by COVID-19. Their flexibility in adapting assessment requirements during school closures allowed our students to complete their qualifications without compromising standards,” says Victoria.
She now finds herself regularly contacted by other schools seeking insight. “I’m always happy to share what we’ve learned. It’s a fantastic course that more schools should consider.”
Encouraging others
Victoria offers a clear recommendation to other education providers:
“If you want a course that helps students develop academic, professional and personal skills, CoPE is the answer. Its flexibility, real-world relevance, and tailored approach make it a brilliant addition to any sixth-form curriculum.”
Through CoPE, Prince Henry’s Grammar School is equipping students with the confidence and capabilities to take their next steps – whether that’s university, an apprenticeship or the workplace – and proving that education is about much more than just grades.
Looking ahead: a new chapter for Personal Effectiveness Qualifications
Building on the proven success of CoPE, ASDAN is launching a refreshed suite of Personal Effectiveness Qualifications (PEQs). These new qualifications carry forward the core strengths of CoPE – flexibility, real-world application and holistic learner development – while updating the content and structure to reflect the needs of today’s learners and educators.
The renewed qualifications continue to develop vital skills such as teamwork, research, communication and problem solving. Aligned with current educational frameworks and best practices, they support meaningful progression and positive outcomes for learners of all abilities and backgrounds.
For schools like Prince Henry’s, where CoPE has made a transformative impact, the PEQs offer a future-proofed evolution of an already powerful approach to learner development.