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Risk It

"The biggest risk is not taking any risk... In a world that changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks." (Mark Zuckerberg)

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." ( T. S. Eliot)

Are you confident to try something new? Would you push yourself to be out of your comfort zone? Are you feeling confident or brave? These are kinds of scenarios that are covered by the ‘Risk it’ Welton Independent Learning Skill.

There are numerous ways in which people can take a risk. In school when we are talking about taking risks it is really important to know that ‘Risk it’ does not man putting yourself at risk or in danger.  Risking it could be standing up in front of a group and speaking, it could be sharing an answer to a tricky question, or sticking up for someone/something even though that may be challenging.  We all have different competencies and confidences and talking a risk is all about challenging yourself to stretch , develop and improve yourself.

What does ‘Risk It’ look like?

In a social situation ‘Risk it’ could be introducing yourself to a new member of the class, approaching others to ask if you can join in or play. ‘Risk It’ could be expressing your beliefs or standing up for what you believe in even if others disagree. Socially  ‘Risk it’ is all about stepping out of your comfort zone into the stretch zone, being brave enough to have a go, even if you get it wrong!

In class taking a risk could be putting your hand up and sharing your own ideas, especially if you are a quiet or shy person. It could be working with some people who you don’t know that well, or entering another room in and speaking to a member of staff in front of people.  Academically speaking taking a risk is all about trying something that you are not confident in, or perhaps not that competent with yet. Taking a chance, trying it and with encouragement, effort and ‘stickability’ giving yourself a chance to achieve.

People who ‘Risk it’ are willing to ‘have a go’ and possibly make mistakes. They have and open mind and will learn through open-ended activities and questioning which are designed to challenge their thinking and sometimes break away from convention.

A mature learner who regularly ‘risks it’ will see failure as a positive step in learning – Stickability and Reflection when combined with the willingness to ‘Risk it’ are true entrepreneurial skills to have. Did Dyson get his prototype right first time? Was he taken seriously when he a vacuum cleaner didn’t need a bag? As the saying goes, you’ve got to be in it to win it!

Of course, the culture at Welton promotes people to take a risk. We endeavor to have pupils learning in a structured, positive, supportive and inclusive atmosphere where calculated risk taking is encouraged and pupils feel safe to do!