This aspect of our Pennine View Curriculum incorporates a wealth of activities, lessons and experiences which help to provide pupils with a rounded, culturally rich education through activities that enhance their learning.

Enrichment, an afternoon of activities for Upper School pupils, gives pupils opportunities to try new and varied activities that may not strictly fit into the curriculum, but that develops character, resilience, motivation and encourage them to pursue wider goals. It extends beyond the academic, technical or vocational and provides for pupils’ broader development, enabling them to develop and discover their interests and talents. It helps to teach life skills that benefit pupils beyond the classroom, and can develop an appreciation for cultural and community issues, teamwork and social responsibility. Pupils are able to make choices about the learning and activities they engage with and these include: dance, music, art, MFL, DT, enterprise, visits to local museums and art galleries, Commando Joe, multi-sports. Further opportunities are created depending on pupil feedback.

Lifeskills is taught by class teachers weekly. Lifeskills lessons include cooking skills (using our specialist cooking room), basic first aid, travel training, careers and careers guidance. All pupils practice road safety skills and Lifeskills in context, out of school, including independent travel. Our Lifeskills Scheme of Work is progressive and covers a range of skills necessary to allow our pupils to live as independently as possible when they leave us and teachers structure their lessons through objective led planning from the Lifeskills Scheme of Work.

Outdoor Learning is active learning in the outdoors and is timetabled weekly for our youngest pupils, taught by a specialist teacher. In Outdoor Learning pupils learn through what they do, through what they encounter and through what they discover. Learning outside the classroom supports the development of healthy and active lifestyles by offering pupils opportunities for physical activity, freedom and movement, and promoting a sense of well-being.

Our careers curriculum is delivered by class teachers in Life Skills, PSHE lessons and drop-down days. To ensure access to appropriate and suitable materials for our pupils, we use materials from START programme which has specifically designed a programme of activities for pupils with SEND needs. The Pathways Activities on START have been created as a person centred ‘getting to know me’ set of activities that will help our pupils to think about their suitability for jobs and work environments. The steps throughout the activities are to help understand an individual’s experience, skills, abilities, interest, aspirations and needs in relation to employment. The aim of the activities is to understand our pupils in depth and to help provide ideas and raise aspirations for a job or work experience placement. The information captured throughout each activity will be summarised in their Profile where they will see a complete picture of not only what the right job should be but also the ideal conditions to make the job a success. A fundamental aspect of our curriculum is that we want our pupils to experience and embrace opportunities on visits to enrich their curriculum offer and also the importance of visitors coming in and developing their learning opportunities and experiences. We want our pupils to have meaningful encounters with employers and employees.

Music is delivered mostly by outside providers such as DARTS at Key Stage 2 and is taught through Enrichment opportunities at Upper School.  Music appreciation, creation and performance also takes place through our Thematic Learning.  The creative arts have such a significant impact on all our lives and are fundamentally part of who we are.  It is therefore vital that pupils develop the skills to engage with music and follow their passions.

DofE and Forest Schools are part of our curriculum for Robin class at The Bridge and are led by qualified practitioners. Both courses are practical in nature and create opportunities to learn beyond the confines of a classroom. The aims of both courses fit well with our Pennine View Curriculum aims; youth without limits, regardless of background, culture or ability, bringing communities together, sharing skills and creating opportunities.

Our Life Learning curriculum also encompasses all the other opportunities that we plan for our pupils, both in and out of school and incorporates all parts of the school day.