Enrichment

Enrichment is an important part of the St John Plessington experience and our commitment to educating the whole person. Rooted in our Catholic mission, enrichment enables pupils to discover new interests, develop their God-given gifts and grow in confidence, character and resilience. This reflects the Catholic understanding of education as developing the whole person and enabling every young person to fulfil their potential.

Catholic Education

Our enrichment provision has two connected elements: the planned enrichment pupils experience through our Belong curriculum and a broad programme of extended enrichment opportunities beyond the taught curriculum.

Enrichment through Belong

Our Belong curriculum provides every pupil with a planned entitlement to enrichment. Dedicated curriculum time ensures that pupils experience enrichment as part of their school experience, rather than access depending solely on participation in activities outside the school day.

Through regular, structured experiences, pupils have opportunities to speak, create, compete, collaborate, serve, lead, solve problems and reflect.

The Belong enrichment curriculum is organised through nine pathways:

– Oracy and Debate
– Food and Culture
– Team Sport
– Active Wellbeing
– Nature and the Outdoors
– Visual Arts and Culture
– Performing Arts and Culture
– Civic Engagement and Democracy
– STEM and Industry Partnerships

Together, these pathways ensure that pupils encounter a rich range of experiences and develop communication, creativity, teamwork, leadership, cultural understanding, physical wellbeing, environmental responsibility, problem-solving and an awareness of future education, training and employment.

Extended Enrichment Provision

Our extended enrichment provision builds on the experiences offered through Belong. Pupils can take part in clubs, activities, projects, competitions, performances, leadership opportunities, trips, visits and partnerships with external organisations.

We plan and review our wider enrichment offer across five key areas:

• – Civic engagement and social action: leadership, volunteering, fundraising, democracy, debate, community projects and action for others.
• – Arts and culture: art, music, drama, dance, reading, creative writing, film, performance, heritage and cultural experiences.
• – Nature, outdoor and adventure: outdoor learning, conservation, gardening, walking, expeditions, environmental action and care for creation.
• – Sport and physical activity: team and individual sports, recreational activity, fitness, movement, leadership and active wellbeing.
• – Wider life and future skills: cooking, first aid, finance, digital skills, languages, study skills, employability, careers and industry-related experiences.

This framework helps us to provide a purposeful, varied and well-balanced offer across the academic year.

Our approach is informed by the DfE Enrichment Framework, which supports schools to develop enrichment that is strategically aligned, broad and well-rounded, accessible, shaped by the school community, delivered through effective partnerships, focused on outcomes and continually improving.Living Out Our SJP Values

Enrichment brings our core values of Compassion, Respect, Determination and Justice to life.

Through their experiences, pupils learn to:

• – show Compassion by noticing the needs of others and responding with kindness and service;
• – demonstrate Respect by listening to others, valuing difference and recognising the dignity of every person;
• – show Determination by embracing challenge, learning from setbacks and striving to develop their talents;
• – seek Justice by making fair choices, challenging inequality and contributing to the common good.

Staff recognise and celebrate pupils when they demonstrate these values through enrichment. Our House rewards system provides a shared language through which pupils can identify the values they have put into action and reflect on their personal growth.

An Inclusive Offer for Every Pupil

We want every pupil to feel that enrichment is for them. Activities are designed to provide different ways to participate, including practical, creative, physical, academic, leadership, performance and behind-the-scenes roles.
We listen to pupil voice when developing the programme and monitor participation across year groups and pupil groups. This helps us identify pupils who may be missing out and take appropriate action to reduce financial, practical, physical or emotional barriers to participation.
Particular consideration is given to disadvantaged pupils, pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, children in care and previously in care, young carers and pupils experiencing other barriers to participation.
This commitment reflects the DfE expectation that high-quality enrichment should be accessible and engaging for all pupils and should help address differences in participation. GOV.UK

The Impact of Enrichment

• The strongest measure of enrichment is not simply the number of activities available, but the difference those experiences make to pupils.
  Through enrichment, we want pupils to:
• – develop confidence, character and a strong sense of belonging;
• – build positive relationships with pupils and adults;
• – discover and develop their interests and talents;
• – improve their physical and emotional wellbeing;
• – contribute to their school and wider community;
• – understand the value of service, responsibility and the common good;
• – develop skills and experiences that support their future education, training and employment;
• – become compassionate, respectful, determined and socially responsible young people.

Our provision is reviewed throughout the year using participation information, pupil and staff voice and evidence of impact. This enables us to identify strengths, address gaps in participation and continually improve the breadth, accessibility and quality of our enrichment offer. The DfE framework specifically encourages schools to self-assess and continuously improve their provision against the enrichment benchmarks.

Enrichment enquiries and support with access: Parents/carers and pupils who would like help accessing any of our extended enrichment opportunities should contact their child’s pastoral team.

View our current enrichment timetable: