Enrichment at Arbourthorne Community Primary School 

Our curriculum provides pupils with rich and memorable experiences, in addition to diverse opportunities from which children can learn and develop a range of transferable skills to enable them to better meet the demands of their future and the world of work. Crucial life skills which secure future wellbeing are woven throughout lessons to ensure children can develop positive learning behaviours and collaborate well. The children's own community, its heritage and traditions are often used as a starting point for engaging interest. A primary focus of our curriculum is to raise aspirations, engender a sense of personal pride in achievement, and provide purpose and relevance for learning. Our 8 Core values sit at the heart of each enrichment opportunity offered for our pupils, so that they can make links between themselves and the world around them. 

Our curriculum provides opportunities for all pupils to develop in the following areas: 

1. Civic engagement: Our Red Robin Life Skills House enables all pupils to work through a series of ‘life skills’ to help them to engage in positive life choices, play a positive part in their local and wider community and become excellent role models to others. Our Flourish Community Kitchen provides pupils with opportunities to explore health and nutrition, learn about each other's cultures, similarities and differences in the foods they eat. Families and volunteers work with a trained chef to learn more about eating healthily on a budget. Our local PCSOs visit school frequently to work closely with children to understand the part they play in being a positive citizen - many pupils enjoy the responsibility of becoming part of our ‘Mini Police’ group. We are a ‘School of Sanctuary’. Our ‘Equality Champions’ promote our 8 Core Values and the Rights of the Child with a clear emphasis on the 9 protected characteristics. Family members volunteer in our growing spaces and Community Fridge to maximise the use of food that is grown on site, and reduce food waste from supermarkets across our city.  We engage with businesses, industry and civic partnerships and utilise external funding to provide a wealth of opportunity for the community to collaborate together, thrive together and to learn and understand that each of our individual characteristics make us unique as people. Through these activities our community learns to be respectful and harmonious and children learn to behave with integrity and cooperate consistently well with others.

2. Arts and culture: our Artist in Residence, Jayne Cooper, works closely with colleagues and all pupils to teach and inspire skills and interest in art with language at the heart. We work alongside Sheffield Museums and Galleries so that pupils here experience a wide and varied view of the world of art. Pupils here have the opportunity to have their own art work exhibited at Sheffield galleries. Pupils visit and perform at Sheffield Theatres. We work closely with Historic England so that our pupils understand the heritage of their city and beyond. Art and Maker clubs run during school social times so that pupils can hone their skills and explore their interests outside of lesson times. 

3. Nature, outdoors and adventure: Our extensive outdoor spaces include growing spaces with a large polytunnel, mindfulness gardens designed by the pupils, wooden areas, designed and planted by pupils and volunteers. We are one of a small number of schools to achieve RHS level 5 for our environmental work and have a Tree Council Award for our Tree Champions in which we have extensively increased the number and species of trees grown on site. we have our own University of Sheffield PhD student who is researching 'Schools as sites for integrated food action' as part of our offer.   Pupils engage with our outdoor spaces with the help of our expert gardening teacher to support scientific enquiry and understanding of the natural world. Pupils visit outdoor spaces in Sheffield and beyond, working with Beyond the 4 walls to build experience, knowledge and skills to be ‘outdoors’ and feel excited about it. Pupils attend Thornbridge Outdoors for residentials during school holidays and in Y6. 

4. Sport and physical activities: Our pupils engage with PE lessons that build confidence and skill in a range of sports, dance, swimming, cycling and gymnastics. Pupils run a ‘Mile a Day’ and take learning outdoors to understand the effects this has on their well-being. Pupils here represent the school in many sports, and compete in competitions Sheffield-wide. Visits to well known sports stadiums and facilities show pupils how experts train and play. A wide range of sports clubs take place each day before school, during social times and after school, and our dedicated Sports Leader and PE lead work closely with Links Sports to ensure sporting opportunities beyond school are maximised. 

5. Wider life and future skills: We seek to provide a range of opportunities that help us identify a child's talent through musical, linguistic, mathematical and creative opportunities.  Our Maker curriculum develops the skills and knowledge for a career that involves 3D printing, digital literacy, electronics, design and construction. We are a partner of The University of Sheffield developing materials that support schools to become Maker schools. A strong focus on the progression of core skills such as speaking and listening, problem solving, creativity, leadership, resilience and aspiration are embedded across the whole school and prepare children for the future.   Our links with Sheffield Music Hub ensure pupils not only learn to play musical instruments, but have the opportunity to participate in 1:1 music tutoring and perform in Sheffield to wider audiences. Links with the University of Sheffield have enabled us to engage with medical students where pupils have learned more about engaging in a medical profession. Arbourthorne pupils worked closely with the Law Department at Sheffield university to design an online game to help others understand more about the law and their rights as a child. Pupils attend careers events. Many pupils achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold Children’s University Awards through their engagement with extra curricular activities; these pupils are celebrated regularly in school celebration assemblies. 

Enrichment activities and clubs 

We offer enrichment opportunities during the school day and after school so children can explore new activities, build confidence and discover their interests and talents. These include:

• football

• hockey

• basketball

• dance

• gymnastics

• athletics

• rounders

• cricket

• tennis

• cycling

• Maker{Home}'

• 'Trading Card Club'

• chess

• Magic Maths 

• Latin 

• debate

• Project in a Box: Medics 

• Project in a Box: Think Climate 

• cooking 

• choir

• gardening 

• 'Family Feast'

• STEM

• 'Coding Club'

Engaging in enrichment activities helps children build teamwork, confidence, resilience and a positive attitude to being active and interested in life beyond home and the classroom. Our wide and inclusive offer means that every pupils has the opportunity to discover new skills, talents and interests. 

Please ask in the school office for more details or contact us enquiries@arbourthorne.sheffield.sch.uk or 01142398163