Curriculum Enrichment
Wider Curriculum Opportunities & Cultural Capital
Our curriculum extends beyond the National Curriculum and includes a wide range of enriching experiences and opportunities both within and beyond the school day. This includes an extensive programme of after-school clubs, that support the core curriculum offer, as well as those which develop specialist skills, such as French and music, whilst also extending the range of children’s experiences (Cultural Capital). A primary focus of our curriculum is to raise aspirations, engender a sense of personal pride in achievement, and provide a purpose and relevance for learning.
The school takes pride in providing a highly inclusive environment, where learners demonstrate high levels of enjoyment in their education and make very good progress across the curriculum. Children at all levels are helped to achieve their potential. Those who are most able are challenged and supported through being offered tasks which provide opportunities for greater depth and those who can struggle are encouraged and given targeted support to embed skills, to develop at their own pace or simply to learn in a style that best suits their individual needs.
In addition to our exciting and stimulating cross-curricular themes, we also provide further opportunities to enhance children’s learning wherever possible. These include:
Whole School Theme Days/Weeks
Throughout the year, themed days/weeks are woven into the curriculum to extend the breadth and balance of opportunities we offer our pupils. These include, Anti-bullying Week, E-Safety Week, World Book Day, Sport & Health Week, Mini-enterprise Week (Y5), STEM Week, Cultural Days, Shakespeare Week and Writing Weeks.
Outdoor Learning
We are an Eco school and value the benefits of outdoor learning. Children are stimulated by the outdoors where they can undertake a range of practical activities to support and enhance learning across the curriculum. Our Pupils also benefit from tending their own growing beds to produce fruit and vegetables to use in cooking activities.
Across the school, opportunities are built into the curriculum for children to continue learning beyond the classroom including undertaking fieldwork and enquiry based-work in the local area.
Educational Visits and Residentials
School trips and visits are an integral part of the education of children at Hedon Primary School. We value the opportunities such visits offer our pupils and the commitment of staff and adults undertaking them. Trips include class visits aimed at bringing learning alive and providing first-hand experience and bringing learning alive; extra-curricular outings such as activities with the school choir or sporting events; and attending or taking part in performances or competitions.
Children in Years 5 and 6 take part in residential visits. These are planned to provide new and exciting experiences. Year 5 visit York to study the Vikings and Y6 make a 5 day trip to Robin Wood where they experience orienteering, climbing, water sports, archery and lots more.
Visitors into School
Visitors have a valuable role to play and can contribute to many aspects of the life and work of the school. They deliver talks, workshops and full day activities across a wide range of subjects, giving pupils access to outside experiences and expertise. Visitors provide a link with the wider community – children have the opportunity to work alongside artists, musicians, authors, health professions and others.
After-school Clubs
As a school we offer pupils opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities after school. At any time, a wide range of clubs is on offer – our programmes of clubs and activities available is revised termly depending on the time of year and other commitments children may have.
PE & Sport
At Hedon Primary School we promote pupil participation in PE & Sport beyond the school day. This included a wide range of inter-school competition opportunities across the school year and number of after-school clubs.
In the summer term, children in Years 5 will benefit from swimming lessons.
Music, Art & Drama
Hedon Primary School provides opportunities for children to take part in a wide range of musical activities and performances where they are encouraged to sing, compose and work creatively with sound. Through active listening, pupils’ awareness, understanding and appreciation of a wide variety of music are developed. A range of opportunities are provided within and beyond the curriculum for children to showcase their musical skills and talents. Visits to the theatre further enriches pupils’ cultural development.
As a school we appreciate and understand the importance of drama within our curriculum. Research reveals that drama had a positive impact on children’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive development.
Opportunities to Volunteer
Volunteering is an activity that everyone can get involved in and benefit from. At Hedon Primary School we promote and encourage pupils’ active citizenship and positive contribution to the school and wider community. We offer lots of opportunities for pupils to take on new responsibilities and be involved in successfully supporting the life and work of the school. These include elected representatives on our School Council, Eco Committee, Library/reading Team, PE & Sport Ambassadors, Play Leaders and Junior Road Safety Ambassadors. Within classes, children can volunteer to take on various responsibilities ranging from lunch duties, to collecting and distributing letters, to helping with the organisation of equipment in assemblies.
Pupils tell us that they enjoy the opportunity to volunteer to help make their school an even better place to be and rising to the challenge that additional responsibility brings.
Assemblies
A rounded programme of daily assemblies helps to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, and provide clear guidance on what is right and what is wrong. This includes our popular reading assembly celebrating books and often inspirational adults. Once a month, assemblies are led by a member of our local clergy. At the end of the school day on a Friday an Assembly of Celebration is held.
Homework
Homework can make an important contribution to a child’s progress at school. As well as reinforcing learning in the classroom, homework helps children to develop the skills and attitudes they will need for successful independent lifelong learning.
Homework is set in-line with the school’s policy, with tasks planned to allow pupils to learn beyond the classroom in addition to consolidating skills taught in school. Our homework books provide an opportunity for children to think creatively and produce their own form of response for example a model or piece of art work, a project, an IT presentation or a recount following a family visit.
Further information
“The school is aware of diversity and additional needs.”
“Thank you so much for everything you have done, from teaching our children, to keeping them safe but also all the fun and laughter you have given them; every one of you is amazing!”
“Those with particular talents, and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are nurtured to achieve their very best.”
“My child feels happy going to school everyday.”
“Staff have been fantastic. Especially in times of isolation and the understanding of situations and help and support they have offered.”
“I value the caring, nurturing nature of the staff.”
“I like the community environment; it feels very inclusive and all the teachers and staff are friendly and approachable.”
“Pupils are motivated and enjoy learning.”
“Many pupils do special jobs, such as eco-warriors and reading ambassadors.”
“They get on well with each other and with the adults in school.”
“Pupils appreciate the many sporting activities, competitions and clubs on offer.”
“This is a school where pupils can learn without being disrupted by the behaviour of others.”
“Thanks to all for keeping my son focused and happy at school.”
“Children in the Reception class get off to a flying start. Children are learning and thriving.”
“Pupils feel safe and well cared for.”
“Pupils are polite and chatty. They listen carefully and show respect to adults and each other.”
“You make learning fun so the children are interested.”
“You have given my daughter courage and her joy back. She is smiling at the start and end of every school day.”
“The school is a safe and friendly environment.”
“This is a happy, welcoming and inclusive school.”
“Keep up the outstanding work you are doing.”